Olaf Storbeck
@olafstorbeck.ft.com
Financial Times Frankfurt Bureau Chief. All Things ECB and European Macro. Previously: Reuters Breakingviews & Handelsblatt. Long distance cyclist. Car free since 2009. Views mine, not the FT's. (The FT's ones here: https://www.ft.com/ft-view)
Over the past few weeks, Sebastien Ash, Florian Müller and I took a deep dive into the demise of German manufacturing. The situation appears so bleak that it really blows my mind.
www.ft.com/content/239e...
www.ft.com/content/239e...
Can anything halt the decline of German industry?
Europe’s manufacturing champion is in free fall. Economists are suggesting radical steps to save what is left
www.ft.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Over the past few weeks, Sebastien Ash, Florian Müller and I took a deep dive into the demise of German manufacturing. The situation appears so bleak that it really blows my mind.
www.ft.com/content/239e...
www.ft.com/content/239e...
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been accused by economists of channelling billions of euros of new debt intended for defence and infrastructure investments to fund a higher welfare budget and other ongoing expenditures.
on.ft.com/4qUndnM
on.ft.com/4qUndnM
Merz accused of using debt bazooka for welfare and tax cuts instead of investment
Two prominent institutes and the Bundesbank sound alarm over use of new borrowings
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:14 AM
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been accused by economists of channelling billions of euros of new debt intended for defence and infrastructure investments to fund a higher welfare budget and other ongoing expenditures.
on.ft.com/4qUndnM
on.ft.com/4qUndnM
The ECB will soon fire the starting gun on a sweeping reshuffle of its top ranks — a contest that will ultimately decide who succeeds its president Christine Lagarde. Klaas Knot, Joachim Nagel and Pablo Hernández de Cos are among the contenders. on.ft.com/3JoMCFC
ECB to kick off race for top roles as Lagarde era enters final stretch
Four of six jobs on central bank’s executive board become vacant before end of 2027, including the presidency
on.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:38 AM
The ECB will soon fire the starting gun on a sweeping reshuffle of its top ranks — a contest that will ultimately decide who succeeds its president Christine Lagarde. Klaas Knot, Joachim Nagel and Pablo Hernández de Cos are among the contenders. on.ft.com/3JoMCFC
Rarely seen such a powerful @financialtimes.com reader‘s comment. I went off the sauce more than 1.5 years ago and my only regret is not having done it much earlier. My general wellbeing — including my mental health — improved beyond description.
on.ft.com/3L7IoCy
on.ft.com/3L7IoCy
October 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Rarely seen such a powerful @financialtimes.com reader‘s comment. I went off the sauce more than 1.5 years ago and my only regret is not having done it much earlier. My general wellbeing — including my mental health — improved beyond description.
on.ft.com/3L7IoCy
on.ft.com/3L7IoCy
Can Porsche be saved? Once one of the most reliable sources of profits for Volkswagen, it has plunged into its deepest crisis in three decades. Sebastien Ash & Kana Inagaki take stock - they even talked the the new CEO (when he still was at McLaren.) www.ft.com/content/a0c3...
Porsche hits reverse on EV push as new CEO shifts back to petrol
Luxury-car maker U-turns on strategy after China weakness, US tariffs and disappointing uptake of battery vehicles
www.ft.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Can Porsche be saved? Once one of the most reliable sources of profits for Volkswagen, it has plunged into its deepest crisis in three decades. Sebastien Ash & Kana Inagaki take stock - they even talked the the new CEO (when he still was at McLaren.) www.ft.com/content/a0c3...
Crazy days... who would have thought that there would be a day when I mention Tuffi, the circus elephant who famously jumped out of Wuppertal's suspension monorail in 1950 when a PR stunt went wrong, and roman emperor Nero in the very same FT article?
www.ft.com/content/0400...
www.ft.com/content/0400...
Germany shelves commemorative coins over surging silver price
Value of precious metal exceeds face value of €20 and €25 collectibles
www.ft.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Crazy days... who would have thought that there would be a day when I mention Tuffi, the circus elephant who famously jumped out of Wuppertal's suspension monorail in 1950 when a PR stunt went wrong, and roman emperor Nero in the very same FT article?
www.ft.com/content/0400...
www.ft.com/content/0400...
Reposted by Olaf Storbeck
German banks push private equity funds to retail investors on.ft.com/4qgUYjb
German banks push private equity funds to retail investors
Lenders from Deutsche Bank to Trade Republic are trying to woo customers to the asset class
on.ft.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:07 AM
German banks push private equity funds to retail investors on.ft.com/4qgUYjb
This post on the ECB's blong about the science behind this year's Economic Nobel laureates, is rather good: www.ecb.europa.eu/press/blog/d...
October 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This post on the ECB's blong about the science behind this year's Economic Nobel laureates, is rather good: www.ecb.europa.eu/press/blog/d...
Rapha is in crisis mode with plunging sales and big losses - how Fran Millar, the fourth CEO in three years, wants to fix the cycling fashion brand. www.ft.com/content/8b55...
October 20, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Rapha is in crisis mode with plunging sales and big losses - how Fran Millar, the fourth CEO in three years, wants to fix the cycling fashion brand. www.ft.com/content/8b55...
Industrieproduktion ist im August auf Niveau von 2005 eingebrochen - und 20% unter dem Peak von 2017. Die Autoproduktion liegt derzeit auf dem Niveau von 2000 und ist 60 Prozent unter dem Allzeit-Hoch. www.ft.com/content/745f...
October 8, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Industrieproduktion ist im August auf Niveau von 2005 eingebrochen - und 20% unter dem Peak von 2017. Die Autoproduktion liegt derzeit auf dem Niveau von 2000 und ist 60 Prozent unter dem Allzeit-Hoch. www.ft.com/content/745f...
Vielleicht erklärt dem SPIEGEL jmd bei Gelegenheit den Unterschied zwischen RAUB und DIEBSTAHL?
September 22, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Vielleicht erklärt dem SPIEGEL jmd bei Gelegenheit den Unterschied zwischen RAUB und DIEBSTAHL?
Reposted by Olaf Storbeck
on.ft.com/4gwD4US In charts: Can Germany afford its €1.35tn welfare state? @chassnews.bsky.social @olafstorbeck.ft.com
In charts: Can Germany afford its €1.35tn welfare state?
[FREE TO READ] Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants benefit cuts, but his coalition partners are pushing back
on.ft.com
September 21, 2025 at 1:04 PM
on.ft.com/4gwD4US In charts: Can Germany afford its €1.35tn welfare state? @chassnews.bsky.social @olafstorbeck.ft.com
Dating back to the days of Otto von Bismarck, German’s welfare spending is at
all time high. It’s not v good at fighting poverty and set to become even more €€€. Joint work with @chassnews.bsky.social and @claradoodle.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4mqdq5G
all time high. It’s not v good at fighting poverty and set to become even more €€€. Joint work with @chassnews.bsky.social and @claradoodle.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4mqdq5G
In charts: Can Germany afford its €1.35tn welfare state?
Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants benefit cuts, but his coalition partners are pushing back
on.ft.com
September 21, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Dating back to the days of Otto von Bismarck, German’s welfare spending is at
all time high. It’s not v good at fighting poverty and set to become even more €€€. Joint work with @chassnews.bsky.social and @claradoodle.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4mqdq5G
all time high. It’s not v good at fighting poverty and set to become even more €€€. Joint work with @chassnews.bsky.social and @claradoodle.bsky.social
on.ft.com/4mqdq5G
Die @stadtffm.bsky.social hat es heute auf die Titelseite der @financialtimes.com geschafft - weil sie ihr Versprechen bricht, der European School Frankfurt einen neuen Standort zu besorgen. Dort bezahlt die EZB jetzt neue Container. Christine Lagarde: "Das ist peinlich!"
September 19, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Die @stadtffm.bsky.social hat es heute auf die Titelseite der @financialtimes.com geschafft - weil sie ihr Versprechen bricht, der European School Frankfurt einen neuen Standort zu besorgen. Dort bezahlt die EZB jetzt neue Container. Christine Lagarde: "Das ist peinlich!"
A decade after rescuing Greece from default, the ECB has launched a very different bailout in its own backyard: It has provided €6.9mn of funding to Frankfurt’s oversubscribed European School after the City of Frankfurt failed to deliver on promises to find a new site. www.ft.com/content/4a8c...
ECB’s unlikely €6.9mn school bailout funds classrooms in containers
Central bank provides emergency help to oversubscribed Frankfurt European school after plan for new premises fails
www.ft.com
September 18, 2025 at 5:42 AM
A decade after rescuing Greece from default, the ECB has launched a very different bailout in its own backyard: It has provided €6.9mn of funding to Frankfurt’s oversubscribed European School after the City of Frankfurt failed to deliver on promises to find a new site. www.ft.com/content/4a8c...
Langsam bekomme ich wirklich Mitleid mit Markus Braun. Der hat nicht nur eine Milliarde verloren und seine Freiheit, die Kollegen vom Spiegel nehmen ihm jetzt auch noch seinen Titel als Wirecard-Boss.
September 16, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Langsam bekomme ich wirklich Mitleid mit Markus Braun. Der hat nicht nur eine Milliarde verloren und seine Freiheit, die Kollegen vom Spiegel nehmen ihm jetzt auch noch seinen Titel als Wirecard-Boss.
Reposted by Olaf Storbeck
I spoke to @olafstorbeck.ft.com @financialtimes.com after Thursday’s ECB Governing Council meeting:
www.ft.com/content/da2e...
www.ft.com/content/da2e...
ECB rate cuts at ‘or very close to’ end, says Austria’s central bank governor
Without any major surprises, arguments that led to this month’s hold should still apply, Martin Kocher tells FT
www.ft.com
September 14, 2025 at 7:13 AM
I spoke to @olafstorbeck.ft.com @financialtimes.com after Thursday’s ECB Governing Council meeting:
www.ft.com/content/da2e...
www.ft.com/content/da2e...
We asked 94 economists to describe the future path of US monetary policy in one sentence. Many only needed one word: “horrible”, “chaos”, a “disaster” an “Turkey“
on.ft.com/4n6eDj4
on.ft.com/4n6eDj4
Investors underestimate Donald Trump’s threat to the Federal Reserve, economists warn
FT survey cites fears that president’s assault has caused long-term damage to the US central bank and economy
on.ft.com
September 1, 2025 at 5:38 AM
We asked 94 economists to describe the future path of US monetary policy in one sentence. Many only needed one word: “horrible”, “chaos”, a “disaster” an “Turkey“
on.ft.com/4n6eDj4
on.ft.com/4n6eDj4
Reposted by Olaf Storbeck
I had a good talk with @olafstorbeck.ft.com & @financialtimes.com. There is simply no room for complacency about price stability. We have to be mindful of the downside risks to inflation.
on.ft.com/4n4gSU7
on.ft.com/4n4gSU7
‘No room for complacency’, warns top ECB policymaker after traders cool on rate cuts
Finland central bank governor Olli Rehn says inflation risks ‘currently tipped to the downside’
on.ft.com
August 31, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I had a good talk with @olafstorbeck.ft.com & @financialtimes.com. There is simply no room for complacency about price stability. We have to be mindful of the downside risks to inflation.
on.ft.com/4n4gSU7
on.ft.com/4n4gSU7
A top European Central Bank policymaker has pushed back against the view among investors that another rate cut over coming months is off the table, stressing that inflation risks are currently “tipped to the downside”. Olli Rehn: “There is simply no room for complacency" www.ft.com/content/763f...
‘No room for complacency’, warns top ECB policymaker after traders cool on rate cuts
Finland central bank governor Olli Rehn says inflation risks ‘currently tipped to the downside’
www.ft.com
August 31, 2025 at 8:26 AM
A top European Central Bank policymaker has pushed back against the view among investors that another rate cut over coming months is off the table, stressing that inflation risks are currently “tipped to the downside”. Olli Rehn: “There is simply no room for complacency" www.ft.com/content/763f...
If you read one article this weekend, read this one on Israel.
“The country’s moderates are not giving up the struggle against their rogue government — and progressives elsewhere must not give up on them, writes historian Fania Oz-Salzberger”
on.ft.com/3Vo4r9Q
“The country’s moderates are not giving up the struggle against their rogue government — and progressives elsewhere must not give up on them, writes historian Fania Oz-Salzberger”
on.ft.com/3Vo4r9Q
The battle for the soul of Israel
The country’s moderates are not giving up the struggle against their rogue government — and progressives elsewhere must not give up on them, writes historian Fania Oz-Salzberger
on.ft.com
August 30, 2025 at 6:55 AM
If you read one article this weekend, read this one on Israel.
“The country’s moderates are not giving up the struggle against their rogue government — and progressives elsewhere must not give up on them, writes historian Fania Oz-Salzberger”
on.ft.com/3Vo4r9Q
“The country’s moderates are not giving up the struggle against their rogue government — and progressives elsewhere must not give up on them, writes historian Fania Oz-Salzberger”
on.ft.com/3Vo4r9Q
Reposted by Olaf Storbeck
Asbestos, gold and spiralling costs: Bundesbank weighs abandoning Frankfurt headquarters—It might be more economical to sell the old premises, which could be turned into a prime residential development… www.ft.com/content/e9d6... @olafstorbeck.ft.com @en.finalfantasyxiv.com
Asbestos, gold and spiralling costs: Bundesbank weighs abandoning Frankfurt headquarters
A €3.3bn refurbishment of the brutalist site has come under fire from Germany’s Federal Audit Office
www.ft.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Asbestos, gold and spiralling costs: Bundesbank weighs abandoning Frankfurt headquarters—It might be more economical to sell the old premises, which could be turned into a prime residential development… www.ft.com/content/e9d6... @olafstorbeck.ft.com @en.finalfantasyxiv.com
“We botched it with Riester, and I don’t know how many more chances we will get. We simply cannot afford to get it wrong again.” The prospect for Germany's state pension is dire. Berlin is now trying to nudge people to the stock market with a €10-a-month subsidy for kids
www.ft.com/content/f1cb...
www.ft.com/content/f1cb...
Germany’s pensions crisis: can €10 a month change how people invest?
Europe’s largest economy offers the young a subsidy to invest in equities as public retirement scheme creaks
www.ft.com
August 25, 2025 at 6:54 AM
“We botched it with Riester, and I don’t know how many more chances we will get. We simply cannot afford to get it wrong again.” The prospect for Germany's state pension is dire. Berlin is now trying to nudge people to the stock market with a €10-a-month subsidy for kids
www.ft.com/content/f1cb...
www.ft.com/content/f1cb...
The Bundesbank is considering abandoning its landmark brutalist headquarters amid regulatory criticism of a multibillion euro redevelopment of the asbestos-stricken site, where half of the country’s gold reserves are stored.
on.ft.com/460UoxH
on.ft.com/460UoxH
Asbestos, gold and spiralling costs: Bundesbank weighs abandoning Frankfurt headquarters
A €3.3bn refurbishment of the brutalist site has come under fire from Germany’s Federal Audit Office
on.ft.com
August 24, 2025 at 5:58 AM
The Bundesbank is considering abandoning its landmark brutalist headquarters amid regulatory criticism of a multibillion euro redevelopment of the asbestos-stricken site, where half of the country’s gold reserves are stored.
on.ft.com/460UoxH
on.ft.com/460UoxH