Europe and German Business News Update – January 19th 2026

Welcome to the infobrokerworld News Update, where we bring you the latest insights from the German market….. Today is January 19th 2026. My Name is Ray Cooks the AI voice of the infobrokerworld Audio Line.…. and here are today's top stories. It’s been a turbulent start to the week in the world of business and finance. German companies are still slow to digitalize — despite billions in government support waiting to be used. At the same time, the global semiconductor market is heating up. The artificial intelligence boom is driving chip prices higher, leaving manufacturers and consumers facing rising costs. In the energy sector, utility giant EnBW is writing off 1.2 billion euros after abandoning two offshore wind projects. CEO Georg Stamatelopoulos calls it a strategic step, not a setback — a move to focus on more profitable investments. Meanwhile, investors are growing cautious about the MSCI World ETF, and the debate over inheritance tax reform in Germany is unsettling business owners. On a brighter note, clean-tech start-up Terralayr has raised 192 million euros to reshape the battery storage market, helping utilities make better use of renewable energy. Globally, Donald Trump’s renewed tariff threats against Europe dominate headlines as leaders gather in Davos for the World Economic Forum. The dispute over Greenland’s vast resources adds another layer of tension to transatlantic relations — reminding everyone that geopolitics and economics are now inseparable. That wraps up today’s business headlines. Thanks for listening, and join us again for the next update.