Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
SpaceX rocket part crashes into the moon: 'Hopefully sparks a discussion'
A remnant of a SpaceX rocket is set to impact the moon on Wednesday morning, creating a new crater. Experts hope this event will spark a necessary global discussion regarding the management of space d...
McDonald's also noticing customers are becoming more frugal
McDonald's reports that it is struggling to attract customers as consumers continue to prioritize saving money. Despite offering cheap menus and discounts, the fast-food chain notes a decline in dinin...
Rabobank targets youth, AI, and the battle against neobanks with new blue app
Rabobank has launched a new blue-themed banking app specifically designed to attract younger users through gamification and personalized features. The initiative aims to compete with neobanks and incr...
Albert Heijn revamps savings stamps: one stamp now requires double the spending
Albert Heijn is significantly changing its loyalty stamp program, requiring customers to spend twice as much money to earn a single stamp. Consequently, it will take twice as long for customers to fil...
Spotify surpasses 300 million paying subscribers
Spotify reported significant growth in the second quarter of 2026, surpassing 300 million paid subscribers. This increase in the user base led to a continued rise in total revenue for the Swedish musi...
'Brabo' must help the Netherlands and Belgium achieve lower energy prices
The Netherlands and Belgium have officially launched the upgraded Brabo high-voltage power line connecting the port of Antwerp to Rilland. This project aims to increase electricity exchange between th...
After pizza and groceries, Thuisbezorgd will soon deliver flowers too
Thuisbezorgd.nl is expanding its platform to include flower delivery services. This strategic move aims to increase consumer engagement and usage of their app within the Netherlands.
Oil giants profit from Middle East unrest as profits soar
Major oil companies, including BP and Saudi Aramco, have reported significant increases in quarterly profits due to rising oil prices. These price hikes were driven by geopolitical tensions between Ir...
Olive oil prices set to rise again due to heat, drought and fires
Olive oil prices are expected to rise again this autumn due to extreme heat, drought, and wildfires affecting olive groves in Southern Europe. Additionally, these adverse weather conditions are impact...
Smaller Boeing 737 MAX finally cleared for takeoff after years of delays
The US aviation authority FAA has approved the 737-7, which is the smallest version of the Boeing 737 MAX. This certification follows years of delays and represents a significant step forward for the ...
Rabobank invests 2 billion euros in AI following multibillion-euro profit
Rabobank has announced a plan to invest up to 2 billion euros over the next three years into artificial intelligence, data, and IT infrastructure. The initiative aims to modernize the bank's digital s...
Record number of building permits, but housing supply will not grow for now
The number of building permits for new homes in the Netherlands has reached record levels. However, experts at ING Research note that construction is not increasing due to labor shortages, high buildi...
Ridden and groped: bronze bull on Beursplein symbolises optimism and rising stock prices
Annemarie (32) earns 2395 euros and lives with her boyfriend in the house her father bought for her: 'I know I'm lucky'
European markets gain after reports of Middle East negotiations
European stock markets closed with significant gains on Monday, driven by a drop in oil prices following hopes for new negotiations in the Middle East. President Donald Trump announced that talks with...
Amazon worth more than three trillion dollars for the first time
Amazon has reached a market capitalization of over three trillion dollars for the first time. The company joins other major tech firms, including Nvidia, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Apple, in reaching th...
US strikes deal with companies to triple Patriot missile production
The United States Department of Defense has reached an agreement with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to triple the production of Patriot missiles. This initiative aims to increase the manufactur...
Port workers to strike over social security cuts
Hundreds of port workers in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Zeeland plan to strike on September 4th. This industrial action is a protest against the cabinet's proposed budget cuts to social security.
PostNL sees dip in parcels and aims for explosive growth in parcel locker network
PostNL reports a decline in parcel deliveries during the first half of the year, with domestic volumes falling by 4.2 percent and international by 15 percent. To counter this downturn, the company pla...
Shipping companies face challenges due to drought
Companies transporting goods via inland waterways in the Netherlands are facing significant disruptions due to persistent drought conditions. With no immediate relief in sight, these logistical challe...
Bol retail platform promises improvements following complaints from sales partners
Online retail platform bol has announced improvements to its communication processes following complaints from business partners. The company intends to offer customers more contact options beyond its...
A newspaper column? ChatGPT knows how to handle a stale 400-word piece
This article explores the capabilities of artificial intelligence by testing whether ChatGPT can effectively write a weekly column. The piece questions if the AI can successfully emulate the style of ...
Korthals Altes (76) refuses to retire: ‘Better to die if that curiosity fades’
At 76 years old, Willem Korthals Altes continues to work, defying the typical trend of retiring after reaching the AOW age. He emphasizes that maintaining his curiosity and professional engagement is ...
Mortgage rates are nearly half a percentage point higher than before the Iran war
The average ten-year fixed mortgage interest rate with National Mortgage Guarantee in the Netherlands has risen to 4.09 percent, the highest level this year. Financial advisor Van Bruggen reports that...
Shell sells European onshore renewable energy business
Shell has announced the sale of all its European onshore renewable energy operations to TotalEnergies. The oil company confirmed the decision on Monday.
Largest bank takeover in years completed as ABN AMRO acquires NIBC Bank
ABN AMRO has officially completed the acquisition of NIBC Bank, marking one of the largest banking takeovers in recent years. Customers of NIBC will not experience any immediate changes following the ...
PostNL delivers fewer parcels, mainly due to decline from Asia
PostNL reported a decline in parcel deliveries during the first half of the year, driven primarily by a reduction in orders from Asian webshops. Additionally, the volume of letters and postcards conti...
It is painful that your social life changes drastically when your income drops
Working past retirement age becomes the norm in collective labor agreements: 'How valuable are you still?'
Working beyond the official retirement age is becoming increasingly common in collective labor agreements across the Netherlands. By the first half of 2026, eleven collective agreements have already e...
Japan confirms US support for efforts to recover historic yen lows
Japan and the United States have conducted a joint currency market intervention for the first time in fifteen years to address the yen reaching a forty-year low. This measure was taken after the Japan...