In der heute vorgelegten Studie „Virtuelle Hauptversammlungen 2020 – Rückblick und Ausblick“ zieht das Deutsche Aktieninstitut Bilanz hinsichtlich der ersten virtuellen Hauptversammlungssaison 2020 und geht auf Überlegungen der Unternehmen für 2021 ein. Experten kommen zu Wort und beschreiben Möglichkeiten und Grenzen virtueller Aktionärstreffen. „Die virtuelle Hauptversammlung hat 2020 debütiert und sich durchaus gut geschlagen“, stellt Dr. Christine Bortenlänger, ...

Das Deutsche Aktieninstitut fordert in seinem heute veröffentlichten Positionspapier zum Entwurf des Fondsstandortgesetzes eine weitere Erhöhung des steuer- und abgabenfreien Betrags für Mitarbeiterkapital-beteiligungen. Die geplante Erhöhung von 360 Euro auf 720 Euro p.a. im nächsten Jahr ist nicht ausreichend. Darüber hinaus müssen die Rahmenbedingungen für den Aktienbesitz insgesamt verbessert werden. Im internationalen Vergleich steht Deutschland mit Blick auf die Förderung von ...

Die Koalitionsfraktionen CDU/CSU und SPD haben sich kurzfristig auf Änderungen bei Frage- und Antragsrechten von Aktionären bei virtuellen Hauptversammlungen im Rahmen der COVID-Gesetzgebung geeinigt. Diese sollen bereits Anfang nächsten Jahres in Kraft treten. Dadurch entsteht Rechtsunsicherheit zu einem Zeitpunkt, an dem sich Bevölkerung und Unternehmen auf einen erneuten harten Lockdown vorbereiten müssen. „Obwohl die deutschen Unternehmen mit einer sich verschärfenden Pandemie ...

Der heute veröffentlichte Alterssicherungsbericht 2020 zeigt, dass die Hälfte der Geringverdiener weder eine private noch eine betriebliche Altersvorsorge hat. Ein Ansparverfahren mit Aktien gehört als Reformvorschlag in die Wahlprogramme aller Parteien. Der Alterssicherungsbericht 2020 zeigt die Schwachpunkte der Rentenpolitik der Bundesregierung auf. Knapp 54 Prozent der Geringverdiener mit einem Bruttolohn von weniger als 1.500 Euro pro Monat haben weder eine betriebliche noch eine ...

Das Deutsche Aktieninstitut begrüßt die heute von der Deutschen Börse bekannt gegebenen neuen Regeln zur Indexregulierung. Angesichts der Erweiterung des DAX von 30 auf 40 Unternehmen müsse jedoch in einem zweiten Schritt überlegt werden, auch MDAX und SDAX anzupassen. „Die Erweiterung des DAX von 30 auf 40 Unternehmen kann nur ein erster Schritt im Rahmen einer allgemeinen Überarbeitung der DAX-Familie sein“, unterstreicht Dr. Christine Bortenlänger, Geschäftsführende Vorständin ...

Das Deutsche Aktieninstitut warnt in seiner Stellungnahme zum Referentenentwurf, dass Unternehmen aufgrund der vorgeschlagenen Regelungen von der Aufsicht vorschnell an den Pranger gestellt zu werden drohen. Die Abschlussprüfung werde als Dienstleistung unattraktiver und die Konzentration auf dem Abschlussprüfermarkt nehme weiter zu. „Zum Fall Wirecard ist es nicht wegen unzureichender Regulierung oder eines mangelhaften institutionellen Systems gekommen, sondern trotz intensiver Prüfungs- ...

The decision for a DAX 30 or 40 can only be made within the framework of a balanced overall concept for the entire index family. A stronger orientation of the DAX towards internationally accepted index guidelines is to be welcomed. The criterion "controversial weapons", however, is not one of them. These are the key points of the statement of Deutsches Aktieninstitut on the market consultation of Deutsche Börse.

The International Savings Day traditionally focuses on the idea of savings. In view of the continuing interest rate slump, classic saving with the bank book is not crowned with success. Instead of day-to-day money, savings book & Co. share savings plans help young and old with the accumulation of assets and old age precaution.

In a recent study by the consultancy Mercer on international pension systems, Germany ranks only in midfield. One major weakness: the insufficient long-term performance security of the German system. The countries that include shares in their retirement provisions and thus ensure attractive payouts occupy the top places. German politicians must act now.

In a position paper published today, Deutsches Aktieninstitut proposes to set up a commission of experts on the Wirecard case. Corporate governance in companies can be strengthened by an obligation to form an audit committee and greater transparency regarding the person of the financial expert. The proven system of two-tier balance sheet control should be further developed.

At today's board meeting, Dr. Thomas Book, member of the board of Deutsche Börse AG, Melanie Kreis, CFO of Deutsche Post AG and Helene von Roeder, CFO of Vonovia SE were elected to the executive committee of Deutsches Aktieninstitut.

In view of the threatening no-deal scenario, Deutsches Aktieninstitut demands that at least the mutual market access for goods be should be regulated and the question of the equivalence of financial market regulation be clarified. In addition, the EU is more than ever called upon to strengthen the European capital markets.

Since 2019, Deutsches Aktieninstitut has awarded the prize to individuals, organizations or initiatives that are committed to the social market economy and the promotion of economic understanding. Awarded are the Meritum Ehrenpreis and the Meritum Förderpreis endowed with 25,000 euros. The nomination period ends on October 31, 2020.

In a letter to Federal Minister of Justice, Christine Lambrecht, 60 board members of listed companies express their support for extending the regulations on virtual general meetings adopted in March until the end of 2021. Since many listed companies have to hold their shareholder meetings at the beginning of next year, politicians should act now.

Following the German government's investment in the biotechnology company CureVac, known as the vaccine platform and currently the leader in the development of a vaccine against Covid-19, the company is now planning an IPO in New York. This example shows that Germany is still not an attractive location for IPOs of young growth companies and that politicians finally need to act.

Now that politicians have passed the "Grundrente", Deutsches Aktieninstitut calls for the reform of the German pension system to be tackled as well. In its flyer published today, Deutsches Aktieninstitut shows why shares must be a necessary part of old-age provision.

On the occasion of the current discussion about the Financial Transaction Tax, Deutsches Aktieninstitut calls on the Federal Government to refrain from introducing the tax. Germany must use its EU Council Presidency and finally put the Financial Transaction Tax on the European level to rest.

On the occasion of the upcoming German Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Deutsches Aktieninstitut demands that Germany should put the Capital Market Union at the top of its political agenda. Strong capital markets for financing companies are crucial, especially in times of crisis.

With a view to the third round of negotiations on the future partnership between the European Union and Great Britain, Deutsches Aktieninstitut demands in its current position paper that the negotiators set priorities. Market access rules for goods and non-financial services should be at the forefront of the negotiations.

The position paper can be found here.

Deutsches Aktieninstitut awards Professor Hans-Werner Sinn the Meritum Ehrenpreis for his outstanding life's work. YES! receives the Meritum Förderpreis endowed with 25,000 euros. The prize is awarded to personalities and initiatives who have made a special commitment to the concerns of the social market economy and a better understanding of economic interrelationships.

At today's meeting, Marco Swoboda, CFO of Henkel, was elected as a new member of the Executive Committee of Deutsches Aktieninstitut. Swoboda succeeds Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel, who has rendered outstanding services to the Executive Committee and the Board of Deutsches Aktieninstitut for many years.

Das Deutsche Aktieninstitut sieht die Vorschläge der Rentenkommission zur Zukunft der Altersvorsorge in Deutschland kritisch. Zündende Ideen für einen „verlässlichen Generationenvertrag“ sind darin nicht zu finden. Um die nachwachsenden Generationen zu entlasten, müssen Aktien ein fester Baustein der deutschen Altersvorsorge werden. „Die Rentenuhr tickt, und die Empfehlungen der Rentenkommission werden die Probleme der Altersvorsorge in Deutschland nicht lösen. Ab 2025 gehen die ...

Deutsches Aktieninstitut welcomes the draft on the General Meeting without the shareholders’ personal attendance. Due to the lack of the necessary infrastructure, the possibility to ask questions during the online General Meeting must be dropped. Instead, shareholders should have the opportunity to submit their questions before the general meeting.

The bans and restrictions on events in response to the corona pandemic make it extremely difficult for companies to hold general meetings as face-to-face events. In a position paper published today, Deutsches Aktieninstitut therefore requests to enable general meetings without the physical presence of shareholders during the 2020 general meeting season.

In an extremely difficult stock market phase, the German day of the share ("Tag der Aktie") moves shares as an investment form into the limelight. Despite the current slump on the stock markets, the longer the investment horizon of a broadly diversified equity investment, the lower the risk of suffering losses in the long term. Investors with a long-term orientation can trust equity investments despite strong short- and medium-term crash scenarios.

With a view to the beginning of the annual general meeting season, Deutsches Aktieninstitut is calling for individual case examinations to be permitted at annual general meetings. Companies that are legally obliged to hold shareholders' meetings should decide in dialogue with the responsible authorities whether and under what conditions the conduct of such meetings is possible.

In 2019, the number of share owners fell by around 660,000 people compared to the previous year, as the Deutsches Aktieninstitut states in its shareholder figures published today. The year 2019 thus represents a setback for German equity culture.

As of February, Jan Bremer, until now Head of EU Liaison Office in Brussels, will take over the newly created position as Head of Legal Department at Deutsches Aktieninstitut in Frankfurt. He will be succeeded in Brussels by Maximilian Lück, who previously had been working as Head of European Regulatory Affairs in the Brussels liaison office of Deutsches Aktieninstitut. „Becoming Head of our liaison office is a great new challenge“, says Lück. „After the election of the new European ...

Deutsches Aktieninstitut has published its new Return Triangles. As the Return Triangles show, shares are always an attractive investment for asset accumulation in the long term. Deutsches Aktieninstitut therefore calls for shares to become a fixed component of retirement provisions.

Deutsches Aktieninstitut rejects the bill on the financial transaction tax recently presented by the German Minister of Finance. The planned stock market tax makes the purchase of shares more expensive and thus less attractive. This makes it more difficult for people in Germany to accumulate wealth and provide for their old age. "A large part of the estimated revenue from the share tax amounting to 1.5 billion euros annually will be paid by private investors. Not the financial sector, as Mr. ...

The first Franco-German Corporate Executives and Institutional Investors Forum of Deutsches Aktieninstitut focused on European economic and capital market policy. France and Germany must work more closely together on these issues in order to make the Capital Market Union a success. „Germany and France are both engines of the European integration. The internal market, currency and Capital Market Union are the driving forces. In order to prevent the integration process from stuttering, both ...

On World Savings Day, many children open a savings book for the first time. But the savings book is no attractive form of investment in the long run. The low interest rate policy means that Germans are losing assets in real terms. A rethinking in the direction of stock saving with ETFs and funds is necessary.

Considering investor protection and private old-age provision, Deutsche Aktieninstitut, Deutsche Derivate Verband (DDV) and DSW (Deutsche Schutzvereinigung für Wertpapierbesitz) jointly call on the Grand Coalition to revise the income tax reform with regard to the recognition of total losses from securities transactions.

Please find the press release (in German) in the PDF.

A consistent finalization of the Capital Market Union, purposeful action for a sustainable economy and the strengthening of European companies in international competition: These key issues form the focus of today's published European paper entitled "Restarting Europe". Kick-off in Brussels: Around three weeks before the new EU Commission takes office, Deutsches Aktieninstitut presents proposals for action to ensure that issues such as the Capital Market Union, sustainability and a stronger ...

Deutsches Aktieninstitut firmly rejects the introduction of a public country-by-country reporting at EU level. The disclosure of sensitive company data puts German companies at a disadvantage in international competition. "The proposal to oblige companies to report tax-relevant company data to the public will put the German economy at a considerable competitive disadvantage on world markets," criticises Dr. Christine Bortenlänger, Executive Member of the Board of Deutsches Aktieninstitut. "The ...

In a letter addressed to Federal Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel, President of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, warns against the negative effects of the planned tax on shares for German economy and society. The tax on shares should not be pursued any further either at European level or by Germany alone. “We are concerned about the plans of the Federal Minister of Finance to levy a tax on shares”, emphasizes Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel. In a personal letter addressed to the ...

Die Aufsichtspraxis hinsichtlich der Ad-hoc-Publizität muss aus Sicht des Deutschen Aktieninstituts für Emittenten besser handhabbar werden. Das ist das Kernanliegen eines Positionspapiers des Aktieninstituts zur Überarbeitung des Moduls C des BaFin-Emittentenleitfadens, das die Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) gerade konsultiert. „Wir begrüßen den offenen und produktiven Dialog mit der BaFin und nutzen die Konsultation gerne, um gemeinsam praktikable Lösungen ...

Dr. Christine Bortenlänger, Geschäftsführender Vorstand des Deutschen Aktieninstituts, wurde von Bayerns Ministerpräsident Markus Söder mit dem Bayerischen Verdienstorden ausgezeichnet. Die Verleihung fand im Rahmen eines Festaktes im Antiquarium der Residenz München statt. „Ich fühle mich geehrt, den Bayerischen Verdienstorden tragen zu dürfen. Die Auszeichnung als Botschafterin Bayerns ist eine besondere Anerkennung für mich persönlich und auch für die Arbeit des Deutschen ...

Wie informieren sich Aktionäre? Welche Dividendenpräferenzen haben sie und wie beurteilen sie Aktien als Instrument der langfristigen Vermögensbildung? Diese und weitere aktuelle Fragen stehen im Fokus der Studie „Verhalten und Präferenzen deutscher Aktionäre 2018“, die heute veröffentlicht wurde. Die Studie, die von Professor Dr. Bernhard Pellens, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, in Kooperation mit Deutsche Post DHL Group, dem Deutschen Aktieninstitut und dem DIRK – Deutscher Investor ...

In other countries, shares make a significant contribution to securing the standard of living of people in old age. This is the result of a study published today by Deutsches Aktieninstitut entitled "Altersvorsorge mit Aktien zukunftsfest machen – Was Deutschland von anderen Ländern lernen kann". "No other issue offers as much socio-political explosive as the pension scheme. Although it is foreseeable that pension contributions will rise and pension levels will continue to fall, political ...

Im Mai nächsten Jahres verleiht das Deutsche Aktieninstitut zum zweiten Mal den Meritum-Preis der Deutschen Wirtschaft. Dieser wird in den Kategorien Ehrenpreis und Förderpreis vergeben. Letzterer ist mit 25.000 Euro dotiert. Interessierte sind aufgerufen, Vorschläge zur Vergabe des Meritum-Preises 2020 einzureichen. „Der Meritum-Preis der Deutschen Wirtschaft wurde ins Leben gerufen, um den politischen und gesellschaftlichen Diskurs über die Prinzipien der Sozialen Marktwirtschaft ...

With a view to the European elections on May 26, the President of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel, calls for more unity and confidence. The challenges facing Europe can only be mastered together and the European economy will play its part, he said at the annual reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut.

At today's General Meeting and Management Meeting, the executive committee and managing board of Deutsches Aktieninstitut were newly elected. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel, Vice Chairman and CFO of BASF SE, was confirmed as President for a second term. Harald Wilhelm, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, and Wolfgang Nickl, Chief Financial Officer of Bayer AG, are new members of the executive committee.

Please find the German Press Release enclosed.

Europe is facing major challenges. But only politics and the economy together will be able to solve them. The title of Deutsches Aktieninstitut’s newly published European paper reads „Europe can deliver!“. It focuses on the Capital Markets Union, European competitiveness and a sustainable economy. „Companies as well as government institutions use capital markets to finance their investments. Capital markets thus represent the financial basis for economic growth and employment. A ...

Deutsches Aktieninstitut awards Friedrich von Metzler for his outstanding civic commitment and his commitment to the social market economy with the Meritum prize of the German Economy. The banker receives the honorary prize for his life's work. The non-profit initiative Rock it Biz is awarded the Meritum Förderpreis, endowed with 25,000 euros.

Besides the usual financial criteria, environmental and social topics, as well as corporate governance, are becoming ever more important to institutional investors when valuing companies and making investment decisions. A study released today by Deutsches Aktieninstitut and Rothschild & Co affirms this trend. The study “ESG from the perspective of institutional investors – what listed companies should know” is based on extensive interviews with 18 international institutional investors, ...

On the occasion of the day of shares, on March 18, Deutsches Aktieninstitut encourages savers to invest in shares or equity funds. Who seizes the opportunities of share investment can look forward to attractive returns. You only have to follow four simple rules.

In 2018, for the fourth time running the number of shareholders and equity funds holders has risen in Germany.  The survey “Shareholding Statistics of Deutsches Aktieninstitut 2018" (in German) - published today - shows that on an annual average the number was about 250,000 higher than in the previous year. In total more than 10.3 million citizens or 16.2 percent of the Germans older than 14 years owned shares or equity funds.

The Deutsche Aktieninstitut and the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) state in their comments on the German draft bill on fiscal measures accompanying the Brexit that the legislator has to ensure the risk
heding with derivatives of non-financial companies in case of a Brexit without a withdrawal agreement.

This year, Deutsche Aktieninstituts awards the Meritum-Prize of the German Economy for the first time. Within its two categories - honour and promotion -, the prize’s purpose is to treasure personalities, organisations or institutions that have advanced democracy and the social market economy. The prize is endowed with 25.000 Euro.

In view of the downturn of share prices investors should not be getting nervous. On the long run shares have been and are attractive investments with manageable risk. This demonstrate the new Return-Triangles of Deutsches Aktieninstitut published today.

You can find the return triangles here.

The Survey of Börse Stuttgart and Deutsches Aktieninstitut reflects the attitude of the Germans on shares // Inspite of low interest rates great reservations // Personal experience creates positive attitude // Integration of share investments into old age provisions necessary

Companies are pleading for more precise legal provisions on ad-hoc publicity and less red tape regarding insider lists and managers´ transactions. This shows the survey “Two Years of EU Market Abuse Regulation”, which has been published byDeutsches Aktieninstitut and the law firm Hengeler Mueller today.

Das Deutsche Aktieninstitut fordert einen ideologiefreien Dialog zum Thema Aktien in der Altersvorsorge, damit auch in Deutschland die Renditevorteile von Aktien für die Altersvorsorge und die private Vermögens- und Kapitalbildung zum Tragen kommen. Dabei muss das Rad nicht neu erfunden werden, da es genügend positive Vorbilder in anderen Ländern gibt.   „Der Vorschlag von Friedrich Merz hat das Thema Aktien und Altersvorsorge kürzlich prominent in den Blickpunkt einer breiten ...

Das Deutsche Aktieninstitut hat heute gemeinsam mit der hkp/// group eine Studie zum Rendite-Dreieck Mitarbeiteraktien vorgestellt. Exemplarisch werden darin die Renditevorteile unterschiedlicher marktüblicher Mit­ar­­beiter­aktienprogramme dargestellt. Das Rendite-Dreieck Mitarbeiter­aktien, das den Zeitraum von 1996 bis 2017 berücksichtigt und Simulationen ermöglicht, ist kostenlos im Internet verfügbar. „Das Rendite-Dreieck Mitarbeiteraktien zeigt, welche Erträge ...

The chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister, and Christopher Delbrück, Member of the Board of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, demand to strengthen the democracy and the entrepreneurial freedom in the European Union in order to revive the European spirit.

Deutsches Aktieninstitut calls upon the European and British negotiating parties to finally place their trade relations on a new sustainable basis. In its third position paper on the Brexit negotiations Deutsches Aktieninstitut shows using as examples tariffs and product approval as well as derivatives and data protection that companies cannot solve all the problems arising due to Brexit on their own.  

The position paper can be downloaded here.

On the occasion of the 30^th anniversary of the German share index DAX Deutsches Aktieninstitut presents its new DAX-Return Triangle for the long-term monthly financial investment.

You can download the Return Triangle here.

How do German listed companies assess the likelihood of becoming the target of a takeover? How well prepared are they? Do they plan to buy a listed company? Answers to these questions delivers the survey “Ready for Takeover?” published today by Deutsches Aktieninstitut and White&Case.

At its annual reception in the Gesellschaftshaus of BASF in Ludwigshafen Deutsches Aktieninstitut, celebrating its 65th anniversary, addressed upcoming future challenges. As honoured guest, the General Secretary of the CDU, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, focused in her speech on "Germany and Europe - Challenges for politics and society".

At the annual reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, taking place today, Dr. Martin Haferkorn will be awarded the University Prize of Deutsches Aktieninstitut for his dissertation „High-Frequency Trading in Fragmented European Equity Markets – Implications for Market Quality“. The prize is endowed with 12.500 Euros.

French, German and Italian companies fear that the European Commission’s proposal on collective redress will end up in abusive litigation. Combining a high level of consumer protection with the proper functioning of the internal market requires following the principles of the Better Regulation Agenda. On the contrary, the creation of a compensation mechanism by means of representative action that does not include appropriate procedural safeguards could considerably harm business, promote ...

At the day of shares the Deutsche Aktieninstitut reminds the public that with shares - permanently invested - you can earn good returns. It is important not be focused on the right timing of the investment but to invest in shares on a regular and diversified basis.

Die Aktienkultur in Deutschland muss gestärkt werden, damit wieder mehr Unternehmen die Börse zur Finanzierung nutzen. Dies ist das Ergebnis der Studie „Börsengang und Börsennotiz aus Sicht kleiner und mittlerer Unternehmen – Ergebnisse einer Umfrage bei KMUs und Kapitalmarktexperten“, die das Deutsche Aktieninstitut heute gemeinsam mit seinen Kooperationspartnern vorgestellt hat.   „Seit Jahren gehört Deutschland im internationalen Vergleich bei der Zahl der Börsengänge zu ...

The Deutsche Aktieninstitut and EY have published the “Guideline for the implementation of employee share schemes” today. The Guideline describes the five phases of planning, designing, compliance, communication and administration and illustrates them by examples. It points the way to a successful participation of employees in the share capital of their companies.

In 2017 the number of shareholders and equity fund holders has risen significantly. On an annual average it was almost 1.1 million higher than in the previous year. In total more than 10 million citizens in Germany owned shares or equity funds, which means around one in six or 15.7 percent of the population. This is the highest level for ten years and equals the level before the financial crisis.

Shares are profitable and therefore an attractive financial investment. That impressively illustrates the new “Return-Triangle” of Deutsches Aktieninstitut. It can be downloaded now at www.dai.de. The message is: Shares give good returns in the long run, the risks can be controlled.

Gemeinsames Papier von Deutscher Börse und Verbänden informiert über Auswirkungen / Insbesondere kleine und mittlere Unternehmen von regulatorischen Änderungen betroffen Wenn am 3. Januar 2018 die EU-Finanzmarktrichtlinie MiFID II in Kraft tritt, werden sich die Regeln für die Bereitstellung von Research-Dienstleistungen grundlegend ändern. Davon betroffen sind neben Banken und Investoren vor allem börsennotierte Gesellschaften. Um sich auch künftig die nötige Aufmerksamkeit am ...

At the reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut today in Brussels EU Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and the president of Deutsches Aktieninstitut Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel advocated for the integration of European capital markets. The Capital Markets Union with its ambitious program has to be progressed.

Renowned German trade associations today have published a digital, cross sectoral “Brexit compendium”, with the aim of bundling the interests of the German economy .The position papers of participating trade associations on Brexit can be found on the respective website http://brexit-kompendium.de/en/, sorted by relevant topics. The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union will have far-reaching consequences on the European economy and society. In this regard, the concrete impact ...

With the „Berlin Appeal for more asset formation among employees” high-level representatives of the German economy and of trade associations call upon the future German government to create a better framework for employee equity participation. More employees must be able to participate in the economic success of their companies.

Today, Deutsches Aktieninstitut has published its second position paper on the Brexit negotiations. As the time for negotiations is advanced, Deutsche Aktieninstitut calls upon the negotiators to agree on transitional agreements in order to prevent a cliff edge scenario.

Issues regarding capital markets have in future to be placed much higher on the political agenda. Deutsches Aktieninstitut has inquired what the political parties have in mind with regard to important capital market matters and has commented these responses. Better conditions for more IPOs in Germany, the use of more shares in old age provisions and the Financial Transaction Tax are just a few of the issues we have followed up. 

Deutsches Aktieninstitut calls upon political parties to show more support for important capital market issues like a share oriented old age provision and more IPOs in Germany. The responses of the political parties to the “Wahlprüfsteine” of Deutsches Aktieninstitut show that in many ways clear concepts are missing.

This year the University Prize of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, endowed with 25.000 Euros, will be shared by Professor Dr. Patrick C. Leyens and Dr. Benjamin Loos. The Prize will be awarded tonight at the annual reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut taking part at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt/Main.

In the constituent meeting of the board of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel, CFO BASF SE, was unanimously elected as new president. Engel follows Werner Baumann, CEO Bayer AG, who was holding office since 2013.

At the annual reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, its newly elected president, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel, called on politicians to give a strong signal for equity and capital markets in the next legislative term. He offered politicians an open and constructive dialogue on capital markets policy.

Companies welcome the Commission’s commitment to the existing commercial hedging exemption for companies from clearing and margining, and the move to an asset-by-asset class assessment for this exemption. The hedging exemption is critical to bringing certainty to business decisions and supporting industrial activity in Europe. Today’s announcements are an important step forward in reducing the burdens on corporates. Now it is important that the  EU-Parliament and the Member ...

Shares support the asset building of Germans and are indispensable for corporate finance. In its position paper for the German parliamentary elections, published today, Deutsches Aktieninstitut calls upon the political parties to include the promotion of shares and the cutting of red tape regarding IPOs in their programs for government.

On share´s day Deutsche Aktieninstitut calls for more political commitment for share investments. Shares are an important element for asset building and the old age provisions of the citizens. Therefore it is essential to reduce prejudices regarding shares and to encourage share investments.

In its position paper “Exit negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom: Minimise Brexit Risks and Strengthen the European Capital Market” published today, the Deutsche Aktieninstitut submits proposals to the negotiators how the negative impact of Brexit on the affected national economies can be minimised.

You can find the Position Paper  here.

The number of shareholders and private investors in equity fonds has remained stable, as Deutsches Aktieninstitut notes in its study on the number of shareholders published today. In the annual average the number was just under nine million and thereby at the same level as the previous year. That corresponds to every seventh citizen above the age of fourteen.

Shares are profitable and are therefore an attractive financial investment. That impressively illustrates the new “Return-Triangle” of Deutsches Aktieninstitut. It can be downloaded now at www.dai.de. The message is: Shares give good returns over the long-term, the risks can be controlled.

“For the Future Functioning of Old Age Provisions in Germany Shares Are Essential”: This is the result of the study “Securing the Standard of Living in Old Age – Reducing the Pension Gap with Shares” published today by Deutsches Aktieninstitut, Bankhaus Metzler, DekaBank und Union Investment.

At the autumn reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, held today in Brussels, Werner Baumann, President of Deutsches Aktieninstitut and CEO of Bayer AG, requested more support for Europe. Politics and economy had together to convince the people that the unity of Europe is in the interest and to the benefit of all its citizens.

In its latest position paper “Accepting Challenges – Moving Ahead: Deeper Integration of EU-Capital Markets despite the Brexit Vote” Deutsches Aktieninstitut is committed to ensuring, that the European Capital Markets Union is pursued dedicatedly and consequently in the interest of growth and jobs.

Deutsches Aktieninstitut supports the new guiding principles for the dialogue between investors and supervisory board published today by the initiative “Developing Shareholder Communication”.

At a conference of the Deutsches Aktieninstitut and the Global Equity Organization the Finance Minister of Hesse Dr. Thomas Schäfer and Hauke Stars, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Börse AG, discussed an increased employee participation in the capital of companies.

After the decision of the British voters to leave the European Union Deutsches Aktieninstitut demands of the German politicians to rapidly implement measures improving the framework conditions for capital markets in Germany. This is the only way that the British decision can create economic opportunities for Germany as an industrial location.

This year the traditional reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut took place at the Tropicarium of BAYER CropScience AG in Monheim. Besides Werner Baumann, President of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, Professor Dr. Axel Weber, Chairman of the Board of Directors and former President of the Deutsche Bundesbank, was the prominent key-note speaker.

This year the University Prize, endowed with 25.000 Euros, goes to Dr. Nico Klein and Dr. Andreas Barth. Both prize winners will be awarded 12.500 Euros each at the annual reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut which takes place in Monheim today.

At today´s board meeting the board of Deutsches Aktieninstitut has elected Hauke Stars, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Börse AG, and Carsten Knobel, Member of the Executive Board of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, to the Executive Committee of Deutsches Aktieninstitut.

The number of shareholders and private investors in equity funds in Germany increased by 560.000 in 2015, as has been shown in a study of Deutsches Aktieninstitut on the number of shareholders published today. In total we have now well over nine million people with an investment in shares. This corresponds to 14 percent of the population over the age of 14 and is thereby at the highest level for the past three years.

As of February 15, 2016 Birgit Homburger, the former chairwoman of the FDP-group in the German parliament, is going to head up the office of Deutsches Aktieninstitut in Berlin. She succeeds Sabine Heimbach, who represented Deutsches Aktieninstitut in Berlin since April 2014 and left Deutsches Aktieninstitut at the end of January to pursue other opportunities.

As the Return-Triangle of Deutsches Aktieninstitut shows, shares or equity funds are perfectly suited for wealth building. The updated version illustrating the development of prices and dividends in 2015 is available for download at www.dai.de from today on.

Sabine Heimbach, who represented Deutsches Aktieninstitut since April 2014 in Berlin and built up its office in the capital, leaves Deutsches Aktieninstitut at the end of January on her own request.

The final report of the Round Table “More IPOs of young growth companies in Germany” has been presented at the end of September. In its Paper, published today, Deutsches Aktieninstitut submits proposals how the recommendations of the group of experts nominated by the Minister of Economics Gabriel, which can be implemented swiftly, can be realized.

The joint conference of Bankenverband and Deutsches Aktieninstitut focused on the question whether we need another risk culture in order to find new answers for the current challenges. Alongside other speakers Jürgen Fitschen, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Bank AG and President of Bankenverband, and Werner Baumann, Member of the Board of Bayer AG and President of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, addressed the audience.

Allocating assets partly into equities can help foundations to better serve their charitable objectives – not only at the currently low interest rates. This is a central result of a study  of Deutsches Aktieninstitut and UBS Deutschland AG on behalf of foundation Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.

At the traditional Autumn Reception in Brussels Werner Baumann, President of Deutsches Aktieninsitut, and Jyrki Katainen, EU Vice-President and Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, emphasized the importance of the Capital Market Union for the future competitiveness of the European Union.

At today´s board meeting Michael Sen, Chief Financial Officer of E.ON SE, has been elected to the Executive Committee of Deutsches Aktieninstitut. Werner Baumann, President of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, welcomed the new committee member and is looking forward to a successful cooperation. 

In its call for action “For an agenda employee share-ownership” published today, ten well-known German associations ask from politicians to improve the general framework of employee share-ownership and to speak up for more employee share-ownership within German enterprises.

Misunderstandings, prejudices and uncertainties influence the relationship of Germans to share investments. This has been ascertained by a study of Deutsches Aktieninstitut and Stuttgart Stock Exchange, examining the attitude of Germans towards shares. Surprisingly, the interest in shares is higher than one might expect on the basis of the actual number of shareholders.

The full study is available for download here.

The University Prize of Deutsches Aktieninstitut will tonight be awarded by Prof. Dr. Bernd Rudolph, chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board, and Werner Baumann, President of the Executive Committee of Deutsches Aktieninstitut. This year the University Prize will be rewarded with a total of 20.000 Euros.

On the occasion of the festive evening reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut Sabine Lautenschläger, member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, called for an effective regulation and supervision of financial markets. Werner Baumann, President of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, also emphasized the importance of a reliable regulatory framework enabling banks to fulfil their macroeconomic tasks vis-à-vis savers and enterprises.

At its constitutive meeting the newly elected board of Deutsches Aktieninstitut unanimously confirmed Werner Baumann, Chief Strategy and Portfolio Officer of Bayer AG, as President of Deutsches Aktieninstitut.

In 2014 about half a million people bid their shares or shares in funds farewell. Despite rising prices at the stock exchanges the number of share investors dropped the second year in a row. Only 8.4 million Germans, i.e. about 13 percent of the population, are invested in the share market. That is the alarming result of the newest survey of Deutsches Aktieninstitut regarding the number of shareholders in Germany.

Shares and equity funds promote wealth building of private households. This is demonstrated by the stock triangle of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, which visualizes the peformance of the companies of the DAX over the past 50 years. The new edition is now available which adds the development of share prices and dividends in the German market in 2014.

An intelligent regulatory framework is needed in order to better mobilize capital for IPOs. This is the key message of Deutsches Aktieninstitut in its positionpaper “The Stock Exchange - Strengthening the Engine for Growth: Mobilizing Capital by Reducing Regulatory Burdens”, published today.

In its position paper “More enthusiasm for employee shares in Germany: Adequate Incentives – Less Obstacles” published today, Deutsches Aktieninstitut sees a need for politicians to engage more in the support of employee share-schemes. Besides eliminating administrative barriers regarding the introduction of stock participation programs more tax advantages in Germany must be granted. 

At the traditional Brussels reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut the new EU Commissioner for Financial Stability, Lord Hill, and Markus Ferber, MEP, delivered speeches to more than 200 guests. Werner Baumann, President of Deutsches Aktieninstitut, outlined the expectations of the German economy on the European legislator and presented the latest positions paper of the institute „The Road to Growth: Setting Capital Markets Regulation Right”. 

French and German business organisations AFEP, BDI, Deutsches Aktieninstitut, MEDEF and Paris EUROPLACE, as well as representatives of major French and German non-financial companies, met on 24 June 2014 for a high-level dialogue on the impact of European regulations on corporate financing and risk management. Ahead of the 8 July ECOFIN meeting, French and German business organisations stressed their general view, that competitive financing and hedging conditions, as well as a robust European ...

The complete press release in German is available for download below.

The complete press release in German is available for download below.

At the annual reception of Deutsches Aktieninstitut today, Werner Baumann, President of Deutsches Deutsches Aktieninstitut, called for dropping ultimately the plans to introduce a financial transaction tax in EU.

The complete press release in German is available for download below.

The complete press release can be downloaded in German below.

The complete press release in German is available for download below.

Last year 600.000 people less than 2012 were invested in shares or equity funds. This is the key finding of the most recent shareowner statistics of Deutsches Aktieninstitut. Only 8.9 million Germans placed private savings into shares or equity  unds in 2013. This figure is equivalent to 13.8 percent of the German population after 14.7 percent in 2012. The sharp drop in the number of holders of equity funds is the main reason for this development. On the contrast, the number of direct ...

The financial transaction tax is an important agenda item for the franco-German consultations this week. Deutsches Aktieninstitut calls for refraining from the tax as it would seriously harm the real economy and private investors.

The complete press release in German can be downloaded below.

Even though share prices have risen steeply in recent years, private German investors remain wary of equities. The objective of people who invest in stocks is generally to accumulate assets over the long term. A far-reaching study released today shows how private shareholders can be approached in a more effective manner and what lawmakers can do to promote an equity-investing culture in Germany. This study was prepared for the third time by Professor Bernhard Pellens of Ruhr University in ...

The complete press release in German is available for download below.

Right at the start of the coalition talks between CDU, CSU and SPD Deutsches Aktieninstitut releases its recommandations for the forthcoming federal government. The key message: Well functioning capital markets are a prerequisite for wealth and employment in Germany. In order to achieve this aim an adequate regulatory framework is of utmost importance.

The German enforcer, the Deutsche Prüfstelle für Rechnungslegung (Financial Reporting Enforcement Panel) has been assigned high marks / high intensity of examinations and critique for tight time limits / Influence on accounting practices / Professional preparation and respect for error findings and their publication on the side of companies

In today's general meeting the members of Deutsches Aktieninstitut decided to provide the office of the Commission German Corporate Governance Code in the future. As an instrument of self-regulation the German Corporate Governance Code and its Commission are widely accepted by the capital market-oriented companies in Germany.

In the first half of the year 2013 the number of direct shareholders has increased by 7.1 percent. Compared to 2012 additional 323.000 people have decided to invest in shares, so that there are now 4.9 million direct shareholders in Germany (7.1 percent of the population). This is the highest number since 2003. However, in the same space of time the number of people who invest in equity-based funds has decreased. Taking both developments together, the number of indirect and direct shareholders ...

The Return Triangles of Deutsches Aktieninstitut were newly designed by the middle of the year 2013. Based on the stock indices DAX and EURO STOXX 50, the Return Triangles visualize the advantages of a long-term investment in German or European blue chips.

Private investors and the real economy in Germany would be charged with costs ranging from 5.0 to 7.3 billion Euros if the financial transaction tax entered into force. This is the key-finding of an impact study conducted by Deutsches Aktieninstitut and Oliver Wyman which was published in Frankfurt on 18 July. The analysis is based on the European Commission’s legislative proposal from February 2013. „Our analysis shows that both private investors and the real economy will face a heavy ...

Deutsches Aktieninstitut congratulates to 25 year of DAX: The most famous German stock index does not only visualize the performance of the listed companies, but is an indicator for the development of the German economy as a whole.

The financial transaction tax will cause massive burden for the real economy. In an analysis Deutsches Aktieninstitut calculated the impacts of the new tax on 24 large German companies. Even under conservative assumptions the estimated extra burden is up to 1,5 Bio. Euros.