SPP‑distribúcia , which operates the local gas‑distribution network, paid out €214m in dividends last year after reporting a net profit of €147m on €459m in sales. The state owns 51% of the company, but it is managed by EPH (Daniel Křetínský and Patrik Tkáč). It remains one of the most profitable companies in Slovakia. ( forbes.sk )

Commercial banks reported declining profitability for the second consecutive year in 2025. According to central bank NBS data, net profit fell 2% to €1.06bn . After a record 2023 (€1.2bn), profits are falling due to a new tax, with the rate dropping from 30% of gross profit in 2024 to 20% this year. Net interest income rose 7% to €2.6bn, but banks sharply increased provisioning by €231m in anticipation of higher non‑performing loans. Operating costs grew 6%, driven by a 13% i

Kia ’s car plant in Žilina is preparing to launch production of the EV2 electric model in February or March and aims to produce 20,000–30,000 units this year. The company expects strong demand to support an increase to 100,000 units annually within two years. In two years, the plant is also expected to produce 80,000 units of the EV4 model. Production of the Sportage SUV will continue. ( hnonline.sk )

New power‑generation sources totaling 132 MW were connected in western Slovakia last year, down 10% annually, with more than 99% coming from small photovoltaic plants. In central Slovakia, new capacity rose 41% to 127 MW, 60% of which was PV. In eastern Slovakia, new capacity fell 7% to 43 MW, almost all PV. Total new capacity increased by 18 MW in 2025 to 302 MW, supported in part by state subsidies to households. ( energie-portal.sk )

The anti‑trust authority PMÚ approved a deal under which TSP Capital (Tomáš Spuchliak) acquires 50 COOP Jednota Dunajská Streda stores. ( antimon.gov.sk ) The stores were previously owned by cooperative members and generated very low profits on €46m in sales with 330 employees. Spuchliak’s Vosem group has €150m in assets, €50m in annual sales, €9m EBITDA, and 450 employees. It owns 90 Danubius meat stores (€12m sales), a slaughterhouse in Komárno, the Nelapek Nové Zámky bake

A meeting with Donald Trump left me shocked by the U.S. president’s state of mind , PM Robert Fico told EU leaders at a summit last week, Politico reported, citing five diplomats briefed on the exchange. Fico, one of the few EU leaders sympathetic to Trump’s criticism of Europe’s weaknesses, was reportedly concerned about the U.S. president’s “psychological state” and even used the word “dangerous” to describe how Trump appeared during their 17 January meeting. Fico rejected

Hospitals with emergency rooms will either operate emergency medical service stations  themselves or select operators through tenders, Health Minister Kamil Šaško said. Until now, operators were chosen through tenders without clear criteria, and last year’s tender was cancelled after companies close to Hlas won many stations. Of the 44 hospitals with emergency rooms, 26 are state‑run, 12 belong to Penta, and six to Agel. The share of state‑operated stations will rise from 47%

The government is preparing an assistance scheme for energy‑intensive companies , Economy Minister Denisa Saková said. It will cover 50% of electricity costs if companies reinvest half of that amount into decarbonization projects. The number of supported firms will depend on funding from the state budget and the Environmental Fund. She plans to present details in the coming weeks after discussions with the EU. ( sme.sk )

Moody’s assigned Prima banka , owned by Penta, an A3 rating with a stable outlook, matching Slovakia’s long‑term sovereign rating. The agency also rates VÚB (A2), Tatra banka (A3), SLSP (A2), and ČSOB (A1). Moody’s highlighted Prima banka’s low share of non‑performing loans, strong liquidity and capital position, and stable retail base. ( trend.sk )

Prices for housing, food, culture, and sports in Bratislava and Košice are among the highest in the CEE region , according to Numbeo data . Living in Bratislava is roughly as expensive as in Moscow and Brno, and 38% cheaper than in London. Living in Košice is comparable to Krakow and Budapest. The world’s most expensive city is New York, which has overtaken Geneva and Zurich. In Central Europe, Prague is the most expensive, ahead of Warsaw. ( tvnoviny.sk )