Daily summary of the Czech economy: E.ON, PPF and ProSiebenSat.1, Louis Vuitton, JAB, JDE Peet's and Brent crude oil (31 March 2026)

Overview of the latest economic events in the Czech Republic

The Prague Stock Exchange started the week with another weakening. The main PX index fell 0.49 per cent to 2,470.45 points - it last closed lower in the second half of November. The decline was mainly driven by banking titles; the only bright spot was the energy CEZ, whose shares ended Monday's trading with a slight gain. The stock market situation reflects investor uncertainty in the context of the global oil crisis and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The fuel market, on the other hand, is easing. The average price per litre of petrol fell by 13 cents to CZK 33.79 last week, while diesel became 27 cents cheaper per litre. This easing of prices comes despite global pressure from the oil crisis and is linked to a temporary easing of domestic fuel prices.

Energy company E.ON has reacted to market developments by increasing its price since Monday 30 March. The company has increased some fixed gas and electricity tariffs by lower hundreds of crowns per megawatt-hour consumed, and the measure applies to newly concluded contracts with a commitment.

Important changes are also coming in the banking sector. From April, banks will tighten the limits on investment mortgages, as recommended by the Czech National Bank. The new measure applicable from 1 April 2026 will apply only to newly granted loans. The impact on the total number of new mortgage originations will be noticeable but not dramatic. Raiffeisenbank meanwhile, has launched a new platform for small businesses that brings together third-party services including insurance and billing in one place. Entrepreneurs can get discounted terms and conditions through the platform, including up to 80 percent off billing tools for start-ups.

Czech Savings Bank continues to innovate its digital services. The George mobile app has gained a new cybersecurity algorithm that detects potential fraudulent transactions. When a suspicious transaction occurs, George slows down the sending process and displays a warning notification to the client. As of February 2026, this protection applies to mobile as well as internet banking.

Foreign investment

Czech Investment Group PPF has completed a significant transaction in the European media market. The group announced the exit of its investment in German company ProSiebenSat.1 and offered the Italian group MFE (MediaForEurope) its approximately 15.68 percent of the German company's share capital. The sale of the stake fits into PPF's broader strategy, which in recent years has focused on efficient portfolio management and maintaining investments in areas where it can apply its know-how. Despite its exit from the media group, PPF stresses that the German market remains key for it.

In the real estate field, he recorded a transaction Raiffeisen Real Estate Fund, which has completed the acquisition of a property in Prague's Pařížská Street. The property is fully leased to a fashion company Louis Vuitton of the LVMH group. The transaction was negotiated by the real estate group Mint in cooperation with the consulting company Cushman & Wakefield. This is a prestigious investment in a premium property in the heart of Prague, which underlines the interest of institutional investors in highly attractive locations.

In the global context, the M&A market is gaining momentum. According to a survey of 400 middle market companies and private equity firms, up to 58 percent of respondents predict an increase in M&A volume by the end of this year. Technology, financial services and real estate are emerging as key areas. The strong global interest in M&A is also reflected in the fact that German conglomerate JAB from an American food group Mondelez International minority stake in a Dutch coffee and tea producer JDE Peet's - the value of the transaction amounts to EUR 2.16 billion, i.e. approximately CZK 54.6 billion.

Significant events outside the Czech Republic with global impact

The oil crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East remains the biggest issue at the end of March 2026. The price of Brent crude is heading for a record monthly rise - up more than 51 per cent since the start of the month, surpassing even the previous record set in September 1990 after Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. On March 31, the price of the Brent futures contract for May delivery was above $110.40 a barrel, with US light WTI crude selling for more than $97.30 a barrel.

The International Energy Agency has described the current situation as the biggest oil supply shock in history. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards are attacking tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which is virtually blocked. Tankers are mostly moored offshore and insurance companies are refusing to cover the war risk. The impact extends beyond the energy sector - oil and gas are key to the production of plastics, chemicals and fertilisers, so their scarcity makes a whole range of goods, from food to industrial products, more expensive. G7 finance ministers and central bank governors are ready to take all necessary measures to maintain the stability of energy markets.

Slovakia is facing tensions on the EU front. The European Commission has called on Bratislava to stop applying the government's regulation on the sale of diesel with a dual pricing system and threatened to launch infringement proceedings. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has publicly rejected the moves, saying Brussels is trying to interfere in the country's political situation. The measures are part of a wider response by central European countries to the oil crisis.

gnews.cz - GH

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