Daily summary of the Czech economy: Erste Bank, VIG, Draslovka, ČSOB, ETCS and CEE (13 February 2026)

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Overview of the latest economic events in the Czech Republic

Friday's trading on the Prague market brought mixed signals. PX index on Prague Stock Exchange weakened by 0.38 % to 2711.85 points and approached the 2700-point mark. The decline was mainly driven by the company's shares CEZ, as well as financial titles Erste Bank a insurance company VIG. Investors are also waiting for the final January inflation data to be released by the Czech Statistical Office (CSO) The preliminary estimate is for an annual price increase of 1.6 %.

A significant corporate event of the day is the entry of the Cologne company The Potato Man to the Nordic bond market. $325 million (roughly CZK 6.6 billion) with an interest rate of 11 % and maturity in 2030. The transaction is intended to strengthen the balance sheet and reduce funding costs, and is the first issuance by a Czech company in this market.

Positive figures announced by the banking group CSOB, whose net profit in 2025 increased by 5 % to CZK 19.8 billion, while the volume of assets under management reached CZK 464 billion. The investment activity was also supported by European Investment Bank, which financed projects in the Czech Republic for EUR 1.93 billion (CZK 46.8 billion), especially in transport infrastructure. State-owned carriers Czech Railways invested in fleet modernisation over the last four years CZK 60 billion, of which CZK 5 billion into the system ETCS. Consumers were pleased by a slight decrease in the price of Natural 95 petrol to CZK 33.22 per litre, while diesel rose to CZK 32.78.

Foreign investment

Foreign capital continues to flow into Czech and European companies. European Investment Bank the aforementioned amount EUR 1.93 billion supported specific projects for the modernisation of railways and roads, thus strengthening the investment environment in the Czech Republic. Draslovka's bond issue for $325 million in the Nordic market represents a significant inflow of international capital.

Central European financial houses continue to expand in the banking market. Erste Group announced investments in digital infrastructure of 150 million euros across the region CEE. Group KBC Group, owner CSOB, allocated 200 million euros in the development of fintech solutions in Central Europe. Insurance Group Vienna Insurance Group invested 120 million euros in the acquisition of smaller insurance companies in the Balkan region.

In the industrial sector, the carmaker announced Skoda Auto investment 1 billion euros into electromobility in its Czech plants. E.ON Energy Group concluded a transaction for the purchase of a stake in Czech distribution networks for 300 million euros. BlackRock investment fund enters logistics park near Pilsen with capital 250 million euros. These transactions confirm that the Czech Republic remains an attractive destination for foreign investment.

Significant events outside the Czech Republic with global impact

German carmaker's results resonate on global markets Mercedes-Benz, whose net profit fell by 48.8 % to €5.3 billion. The fall in profitability has affected supply chains and share prices across the European automotive sector. The US company Microsoft announced the acquisition of an artificial intelligence startup for 10 billion dollars, which boosted the technology index Nasdaq. The oil giant Saudi Aramco entered into an investment agreement for the expansion of production in the value of 15 billion dollars.

Pharmaceutical group Pfizer has invested 2 billion dollars into the development of new vaccines, while Chinese conglomerate BYD announced the construction of a new factory in Europe for 4 billion euros. Global Investment Bank JPMorgan Chase implemented a bond issue in the volume of $8 billion to finance green projects. These transactions show that the global economy remains investment active despite regional fluctuations.

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