The value of outstanding mortgage lending in Poland was up a 6% in 2014, reaching a total 351 billion PLN at year end. This is still a fraction of GDP. A lot room for growth,
White Star Capital Germany Venture Capital Landscape 2020JeandeLencquesaing
We are pleased to publish the second edition of our German Venture Capital report and hope you will enjoy reading it. 2019 was a year where Germany has really played to its strengths and cemented its position as one of the European leaders in tech venture capital, and we are more excited than ever about the development of this ecosystem.
Our report unpacks the current progress and outlook for the German ecosystem using our ecosystem model to highlight Germany’s unique positioning in an increasingly global playing field for startups.
So what did we find?
- Germany had a record year in VC reaching $5.7bn in funding with 49% yoy growth, the second best funded country in Europe
- Germany leverages its global industrial leadership to retain its place as the top destination for European mobility VC investment in 2019, reaching $1.3bn in funding, representing 26% of total funding. Its corporate strengths also drive investments in fintech and B2B software, representing 23% and 20% of total funding, respectively.
- Corporate Venture Capital plays a key role and participates in 58% of the total funding, the highest level worldwide. Next47 (Siemens), IFB Hamburg, Bosch are some of the most active German CVCs. As LPs (investors in VCs), corporates represent 28% of total German VC funds raised, the highest level in Europe, further boosting the local ecosystem
In addition to sharing our excitement about Germany and expressing our belief that the ecosystem is stronger than ever we look at robust business networks, the continued government support via entities such as KfW and the vibrant founder community.
White Star Capital has made landmark investments in Germany and seen many of the findings play out with our portfolio companies. Tier has raised Series B in 2019 led by international investors such as Mubadala, Goodwater and ourselves, while Clark has benefited from a large domestic market for insurance.
1. Global activity continues to ease
2. Significant slowdown in euro area
3. Trade tensions have hit export-reliant economies
4. Rate expectations pushed back as central banks make dovish statements
5. Equities sold off in May with investors switching to bonds
6. 2020 UK growth heavily dependent on Brexit settlement
7. Risks to global growth tilted to the downside
1. Macro environment - Global growth slowing, particularly in Europe. UK growth expected to be 1.2% this year but Brexit risks loom large.
2. Momentum - business investment declining, household spending holding up on strong wage growth.
3. Operating costs – expected to rise due to tight labour market, wage growth close to a 11-year high. Commodity prices up 12.5% ytd.
4. Corporate stance – risk appetite lowest since 2008, focus on cost reduction and increasing cash flow.
5. Balance sheet – cash rich, credit cheap and easily available, pockets of debt risk in ‘cov-lite’ sectors, profits falling.
6. Risks – effects of Brexit and weak domestic demand, rising global geopolitical risk and protectionism also a worry for large UK corporates.
The value of outstanding mortgage lending in Poland was up a 6% in 2014, reaching a total 351 billion PLN at year end. This is still a fraction of GDP. A lot room for growth,
White Star Capital Germany Venture Capital Landscape 2020JeandeLencquesaing
We are pleased to publish the second edition of our German Venture Capital report and hope you will enjoy reading it. 2019 was a year where Germany has really played to its strengths and cemented its position as one of the European leaders in tech venture capital, and we are more excited than ever about the development of this ecosystem.
Our report unpacks the current progress and outlook for the German ecosystem using our ecosystem model to highlight Germany’s unique positioning in an increasingly global playing field for startups.
So what did we find?
- Germany had a record year in VC reaching $5.7bn in funding with 49% yoy growth, the second best funded country in Europe
- Germany leverages its global industrial leadership to retain its place as the top destination for European mobility VC investment in 2019, reaching $1.3bn in funding, representing 26% of total funding. Its corporate strengths also drive investments in fintech and B2B software, representing 23% and 20% of total funding, respectively.
- Corporate Venture Capital plays a key role and participates in 58% of the total funding, the highest level worldwide. Next47 (Siemens), IFB Hamburg, Bosch are some of the most active German CVCs. As LPs (investors in VCs), corporates represent 28% of total German VC funds raised, the highest level in Europe, further boosting the local ecosystem
In addition to sharing our excitement about Germany and expressing our belief that the ecosystem is stronger than ever we look at robust business networks, the continued government support via entities such as KfW and the vibrant founder community.
White Star Capital has made landmark investments in Germany and seen many of the findings play out with our portfolio companies. Tier has raised Series B in 2019 led by international investors such as Mubadala, Goodwater and ourselves, while Clark has benefited from a large domestic market for insurance.
1. Global activity continues to ease
2. Significant slowdown in euro area
3. Trade tensions have hit export-reliant economies
4. Rate expectations pushed back as central banks make dovish statements
5. Equities sold off in May with investors switching to bonds
6. 2020 UK growth heavily dependent on Brexit settlement
7. Risks to global growth tilted to the downside
1. Macro environment - Global growth slowing, particularly in Europe. UK growth expected to be 1.2% this year but Brexit risks loom large.
2. Momentum - business investment declining, household spending holding up on strong wage growth.
3. Operating costs – expected to rise due to tight labour market, wage growth close to a 11-year high. Commodity prices up 12.5% ytd.
4. Corporate stance – risk appetite lowest since 2008, focus on cost reduction and increasing cash flow.
5. Balance sheet – cash rich, credit cheap and easily available, pockets of debt risk in ‘cov-lite’ sectors, profits falling.
6. Risks – effects of Brexit and weak domestic demand, rising global geopolitical risk and protectionism also a worry for large UK corporates.
Last year Birmingham attracted more foreign direct investment projects than ever before. It has secured more jobs from FDI than any other regional UK city during the past five years. Recognising the city’s offer, big names like Deutsche Bank, ASOS, DHL and Virgin Media are all currently investing and growing in Birmingham.
With a 52% rise in foreign investment in the city last year against a national increase of 4%, Birmingham is performing well, but as Europe records a decline in FDI and competition between global locations hots up, how can we build on this success and bring more investment and jobs to Birmingham?
Presentation at Seminar
Doing Business: NL vs USA
(2012 April 19, Amsterdam)
Organised by:
- Leading Edge Alliance
- Bol International
- Van Oers International
In this report we show the state of the tech ecosystem in Europe.The next goal for the European VC market is to incorporate more institutional investors as LPs. The current state of European tech ecosystem and the scale and track record obtained by European VCs will allow the industry to incorporate them as active investor in the asset class.
White Star Capital - German Venture Capital Landscape 2018Sanjay Zimmermann
In this report, we aim to share our enthusiasm on the German tech and Venture Capital ecosystem from the perspective of an international VC fund.
We aim to share our excitement about Germany and express our belief that the ecosystem is gaining momentum. We also look at a few particularities that make the German market unique such as its decentralization, the impact of Rocket Internet on talent, differences in deal terms and media for equity. Finally, we end with a deep dive on VC’s and other investors making up the ecosystem.
At White Star Capital, we made our first major investment in Germany by co-leading Clark’s Series B round earlier this year. We are proud of the progress of the company so far and are looking forward backing many more.
We hope you enjoy reading this report!
B2B & Software - Fireside Chat with Yoram Wijngaarde, Founder & CEO of Dealroom.co at the Axel Springer NOAH Conference 2018 in Berlin, Tempodrom 6-7 June 2018.
Non-Bank Lending in Germany: How Investors can access Lending to the MiddelstandDr. Nicolaus Loos
Presentation held by Dr. Nicolaus Loos at the Private Debt Investor Conference in Munich, June 23rd 2016:
The German Midmarket has for long been considered "closed shop" for European Private Debt players seeking to undertake Direct Lending transactions. Dr. Loos outlines the attractiveness of Germany in comparison to other EU markets and in particular highlights the Mittelstand as an investment case, offering a highly attractive risk-return profile for investors. Accessing this market needs careful considerations though.
China Exit or Co-Investment Opportunities for German PE InvestorsL.E.K. Consulting
L.E.K.'s Karin von Kienlin recently presented at BVK on a study conducted by L.E.K. Munich and Shanghai. They wished to:
- Understand developments in Chinese equity investments in both the domestic China / pan-Asian market and cross-border investments between China and Germany / Europe
- Identify trends in likely future investment behavior and its drivers
- Defining success factors both for Chinese and German investors / corporates as to how to benefit from the potential opportunities of cross-border investments and cooperation
Learn more in the presentation here.
The Deloitte M&A Index is a forward-looking indicator that forecasts future global M&A deal volumes and identifies the factors influencing conditions for dealmaking.
The Deloitte M&A Index is a forward-looking indicator that forecasts future global M&A deal volumes and identifies the factors influencing conditions for dealmaking.
The theme for this quarter is momentum meets uncertainty. The upward trend in crude oil, natural gas, LNG and refined product prices that began in Q1 continued into Q2. Crude oil markets began the quarter just below $100/bbl and have closed below that level on only two days since late April. As we begin Q3, there are increasing concerns about the health of the global economy and how that might affect oil and gas demand.
Quarterly analyst themes of oil and gas earnings, Q1 2022EY
Financial questions continued to attract the most attention of the analyst community, with major focus on how companies will respond to the war in Ukraine, elevated commodity prices and improved cash flows. Strategic questions focused on how the changing geopolitical environment will affect capital allocation in the short and long term. Operationally, all eyes were on the capacity of companies to step up asset utilization and bring new projects to market quickly. Explore the latest EY quarterly analysts themes.
Last year Birmingham attracted more foreign direct investment projects than ever before. It has secured more jobs from FDI than any other regional UK city during the past five years. Recognising the city’s offer, big names like Deutsche Bank, ASOS, DHL and Virgin Media are all currently investing and growing in Birmingham.
With a 52% rise in foreign investment in the city last year against a national increase of 4%, Birmingham is performing well, but as Europe records a decline in FDI and competition between global locations hots up, how can we build on this success and bring more investment and jobs to Birmingham?
Presentation at Seminar
Doing Business: NL vs USA
(2012 April 19, Amsterdam)
Organised by:
- Leading Edge Alliance
- Bol International
- Van Oers International
In this report we show the state of the tech ecosystem in Europe.The next goal for the European VC market is to incorporate more institutional investors as LPs. The current state of European tech ecosystem and the scale and track record obtained by European VCs will allow the industry to incorporate them as active investor in the asset class.
White Star Capital - German Venture Capital Landscape 2018Sanjay Zimmermann
In this report, we aim to share our enthusiasm on the German tech and Venture Capital ecosystem from the perspective of an international VC fund.
We aim to share our excitement about Germany and express our belief that the ecosystem is gaining momentum. We also look at a few particularities that make the German market unique such as its decentralization, the impact of Rocket Internet on talent, differences in deal terms and media for equity. Finally, we end with a deep dive on VC’s and other investors making up the ecosystem.
At White Star Capital, we made our first major investment in Germany by co-leading Clark’s Series B round earlier this year. We are proud of the progress of the company so far and are looking forward backing many more.
We hope you enjoy reading this report!
B2B & Software - Fireside Chat with Yoram Wijngaarde, Founder & CEO of Dealroom.co at the Axel Springer NOAH Conference 2018 in Berlin, Tempodrom 6-7 June 2018.
Non-Bank Lending in Germany: How Investors can access Lending to the MiddelstandDr. Nicolaus Loos
Presentation held by Dr. Nicolaus Loos at the Private Debt Investor Conference in Munich, June 23rd 2016:
The German Midmarket has for long been considered "closed shop" for European Private Debt players seeking to undertake Direct Lending transactions. Dr. Loos outlines the attractiveness of Germany in comparison to other EU markets and in particular highlights the Mittelstand as an investment case, offering a highly attractive risk-return profile for investors. Accessing this market needs careful considerations though.
China Exit or Co-Investment Opportunities for German PE InvestorsL.E.K. Consulting
L.E.K.'s Karin von Kienlin recently presented at BVK on a study conducted by L.E.K. Munich and Shanghai. They wished to:
- Understand developments in Chinese equity investments in both the domestic China / pan-Asian market and cross-border investments between China and Germany / Europe
- Identify trends in likely future investment behavior and its drivers
- Defining success factors both for Chinese and German investors / corporates as to how to benefit from the potential opportunities of cross-border investments and cooperation
Learn more in the presentation here.
The Deloitte M&A Index is a forward-looking indicator that forecasts future global M&A deal volumes and identifies the factors influencing conditions for dealmaking.
The Deloitte M&A Index is a forward-looking indicator that forecasts future global M&A deal volumes and identifies the factors influencing conditions for dealmaking.
The theme for this quarter is momentum meets uncertainty. The upward trend in crude oil, natural gas, LNG and refined product prices that began in Q1 continued into Q2. Crude oil markets began the quarter just below $100/bbl and have closed below that level on only two days since late April. As we begin Q3, there are increasing concerns about the health of the global economy and how that might affect oil and gas demand.
Quarterly analyst themes of oil and gas earnings, Q1 2022EY
Financial questions continued to attract the most attention of the analyst community, with major focus on how companies will respond to the war in Ukraine, elevated commodity prices and improved cash flows. Strategic questions focused on how the changing geopolitical environment will affect capital allocation in the short and long term. Operationally, all eyes were on the capacity of companies to step up asset utilization and bring new projects to market quickly. Explore the latest EY quarterly analysts themes.
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook, Q2 | April 2022EY
The theme for this quarter is rearrangement. The loss, or potential loss, of Russian oil and gas supplies is forcing producers, refiners and traders to rethink the flow of crude oil and refined products from the wellhead to the gas pump in light of sanctions, potential sanctions and the risk of reputational damage. Countries, companies and consumers will all be searching for ways to adapt, and the outcome of the race to bring alternatives to market could alter the global energy landscape for years to come.
It is likely crude oil and LNG prices will remain elevated for some time. The process of diverting Russian oil through countries unwilling to sanction it will take time and there is little indication OPEC members are willing (or able) to increase production to make up for the loss of Russian crude. Spare capacity sat at 3.7 mbpd at the end of 2021, just above where it was in January 2020. Currently, sanctioned Venezuelan and Iranian production (about 3 mbpd below their peak) could fill the gap, but political and commercial obstacles remain. At today’s prices, US shale production is attractive, but the fastest the industry has been able to grow is between 1mbpd and 2mbpd per year. The LNG infrastructure was already stretched before the war in Ukraine and there is little prosect of finding new supplies soon.
As the largest buyer of Russian energy, Europe will be the epicenter. There is a deeply embedded bias there in favor for renewable energy, and the current crisis is certain to result in an all-out effort to accelerate the build-out of wind and solar power. The capacity to add new green energy is limited though by the project pipeline and supply chains for solar panels and wind turbines, and it is likely that much of the shortfall will be made up with the new LNG infrastructure.
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlookEY
As the last quarter of the second pandemic year draws to a close, we continue to see heightened contrast
between the medical and economic points of view. While COVID-19 cases are close to their all-time highs, so
are equity prices, and a leading investment bank declared (on 2 December, 2021 after the Omicron outbreak in South Africa) that it was “optimistic about the possibility of a vibrant 2022.” When news of the variant hit in
late November, the markets were rocked by the prospect of yet another round of local mobility restrictions and
an interrupted return to normal international travel patterns, on top of the Biden Administration’s announced
release of 50 million barrels of crude from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve. So far though, with OPEC
standing by its planned gradual return to normal production, oil prices have stabilized, albeit below where they
were in mid-November. Henry Hub prices, always at the mercy of the weather, responded predictably to a
warmer-than-normal early winter in the US, falling from US$6.60/MMBtu in early October to below
US$4.00/MMBtu by mid-December. In Europe and Asia, following a short reprieve at the start of the quarter,
piped natural gas prices have spiked again on concerns triggered by Russian troop buildups on the Ukraine
border and uncertainties surrounding the Nordstream 2 pipeline. Looking forward, OPEC and the U.S. Energy
Information Administration (EIA) in their last forecasts of the year both projected that 2022 oil demand would
be above what we saw in 2019. Although time will tell if those forecasts are realized and other events could
intervene, the response to new virus outbreaks is well-practiced and the trade-off between public health and
economic reality has tipped toward a cautiously optimistic view.
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook, Q2 April 2021EY
The theme for this quarter is governed. Apparent market balance at prices that could be sustainable is the product of calculated choices by market leaders and the cooperation of those who follow them. Economics played their customary role as well, with capital scarcity in North America taking about 2 million barrels per day out of the market, about half of the remaining gap in demand. While inventories are close to their pre-COVID-19 levels, there is still uncertainty. The resolution of the pandemic is in sight, but timing is unclear. Vaccine distribution in the US is having an impact but Europe is struggling to contain a third wave of infections. The taps have opened on economic stimulus, but it remains to be seen if policymakers have done enough or if they have overshot the mark.
The shape of the crude oil forward curve has fundamentally changed since the end of the last quarter. In late December of last year, the Brent forward curve was gradually increasing while today, the curve is backwardated. This is a clear sign that the market sees a short-term dynamic that is disconnected from the medium-to-long-term fundamentals. The lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be seen. While many have opined that COVID-19 marks a turning point in energy transition, the IEA recently released a five-year forecast of oil demand that shows steady growth, albeit at rates that are below historical expectations.
Gas markets are a paradox. At the Henry Hub and at LNG destinations, demand grows, investment lags and prices will occasionally attract attention. Traders, so far though, are unconvinced and futures prices don’t indicate imminent scarcity at any link in the value chain.
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlookEY
We enter 2021 on a note of cautious optimism for global health, the world economy, and the oil and gas markets. The first weeks of December brought approval in the US and the UK of the first of several COVID-19 vaccines. The speed with which vaccine development occurred is unprecedented, but certainly welcome. In the weeks following the early November announcement of 90+% effectiveness by the manufacturer of the first approved vaccine, the price of WTI crude oil increased by US$10/bbl to US$48/bbl, the highest level since early March. Sustainability hasn’t returned yet, and whatever time it takes to get the world to normal, it will take even longer for normalization within the oil and gas markets. Inventories remain at historically high levels and, optimistically, it will take until April before inventory returns to levels observed in the preceding five years. That’s an estimate, and there has obviously been some difficulty properly calibrating the expectations of how balance will return and how long it will take. In late November, OPEC met to adjust its output plans because of the anemic rebound in demand. In mid-December, the IEA lowered its demand forecast for 2021 due mostly to continued sluggishness in aviation fuel demand.
A mild winter has interrupted a recovery in North American natural gas prices after a run-up motivated by curtailed capital expenditures, upstream activity and production. After an initial meltdown, with cargo cancellations and dramatic price reversal, LNG markets have made a remarkable comeback, and the spread between Asia and Henry Hub has reached a level we haven’t seen in almost three years. It may be the case that interruption in FIDs has brought us to the cusp of a balance that can support reliable returns.
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook (Q4, October 2020)EY
Oil and gas prices have recovered steadily from their lows and are relatively stable, but that stability is supported by the combination of purposeful withholding of production by oil-producing countries and economic stress on upstream independents. Oil prices closed the quarter roughly where they started it, while refining spreads were down slightly. LNG spreads were substantially higher at the end of Q3 than they were at the beginning of the quarter but are still roughly half of what is generally thought of as sustainable.
Going forward, the market will be looking closely at how the economy and demand respond to new developments with respect to a potential COVID-19 vaccine and the US election.
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlookEY
As we close the second quarter of 2020, in most of Europe and Asia, the first (and hopefully last) wave of the COVID-19 crisis appears to be abating. In the parts of the US where the virus hit early, the profile has largely matched Europe’s, while in other parts, the urge to reopen businesses has trumped the desire to contain the virus and uncertainty looms. In the developing world, the crisis has just begun, but without the economic headroom and resources necessary to contain it. As the crisis unfolded, the effect on oil and gas demand has been predictable but difficult to gauge precisely and therefore difficult to manage.
Oil prices have crept up steadily as production has been curtailed through coordinated action (OPEC+) and because of economic reality (unconventional oil in North America). That trend has been subject to momentary spasms when bad news hit the market. It would be understandable if traders were nervous, and it seems that they are. Although nowhere near where it was at the peak of the crisis, option implied volatility is still at historically high levels. Gas markets, without the benefit of coordination on the supply side, continue to deal with the market implications of storage at or near capacity. Interfuel competition in power generation has always provided something of a floor, but those lows have been, and will continue to be, tested.
Zahl der Gewinnwarnungen steigt auf RekordniveauEY
Immer mehr deutsche börsennotierte Unternehmen müssen ihre eigenen Umsatz- oder Gewinnprognosen nach unten korrigieren. Im ersten Quartal stieg die Zahl der Prognosekorrekturen auf ein neues Rekordniveau: Insgesamt 77 Gewinn- oder Umsatzwarnungen wurden registriert.
Die Corona-Krise trifft auch die Versicherungsbranche mit voller Wucht. Die Versicherer rechnen mit weniger Neugeschäft. Jeder Fünfte mit Personalabbau und Prämienerhöhungen.
Liquidity for advanced manufacturing and automotive sectors in the face of Co...EY
With a global economy in crisis due to Covid-19 our liquidity and cash management deck for advanced manufacturing and
mobility companies looks at how these companies should best respond.
IBOR transition: Opportunities and challenges for the asset management industryEY
EY Wealth & Asset Management explores the practical implications and the way forward for the transition to the new risk-free rates. This presentation aims to help asset managers and asset owners explore IBOR transition strategies that are compliant and future-focused.
Fusionen und Übernahmen dürften nach der Krise zunehmenEY
Folgt auf die Corona-Krise ein M&A-Boom? Laut Capital Confidence Barometer von #EY hoffen 40 Prozent der deutschen Unternehmen auf sinkende Bewertungen von Übernahmekandidaten.
EY Price Point: global oil and gas market outlook, Q2, April 2020EY
The first quarter of this year has seen some extraordinary events. As if chronic oversupply, prices stuck below sustainable levels, the looming energy transition, and investor pressure to decarbonize weren’t enough, our industry now faces a dramatic, but hopefully temporary, downturn in demand as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Our Global Chemical Industry Leader Frank Jenner explores the trends and drivers that will shape the chemical industry of tomorrow in our latest Chemical Market Outlook.
Die Geschäftslage im Mittelstand hat sich leicht verschlechtert, ist in den meisten Branchen aber weiter überwiegend gut - die Einstellungsbereitschaft sinkt.
1. Germany leads the European M&A
league of pharmaceutical contract
manufacturing – and attracts significant
foreign investments
EY CDMO Study
German pharmaceutical contract manufacturers have gained
robust interest from foreign investors in the last 5 years.
Germany led the European CDMO M&A table with a volume
of US$2.8b. In Germany most investments were stemmed by
foreign investors – which is in stark contrast to other countries
such as China, where almost all the transactions totaling at
$US7.1bn represented domestic investments.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
14
Germany 19
United Kingdom 22
France 23
China 31
India 31
US 134
Switzerland 7
Ireland 8
Belgium 9
Japan 10
Sweden 11
Australia 11
Italy 11
Spain 14
Canada
Cross-border
Internal
Number of deals
M&A target HQRank Number of deals per country
EV (US$b)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Cross-border
Internal
Norway 0.9
Switzerland 1.0
France 1.0
United Kingdom 1.1
Italy 2.0
Canada 2.4
Japan 2.5
Germany 2.8
India 3.5
China 7.1
US 21.1
Poland
0.7
0.9
Denmark 0.6
Spain 0.6
Turkey
M&A target HQRank Sum of EVs per country