The 14th edition of eMAG's Black Friday event saw unprecedented demand, with customers placing orders totaling 220 million lei within the first 30 minutes—a 22% increase over last year. Beginning at 7:15 am, the shopping frenzy led to the sale of 573,000 items at a rate of over 19,000 products per minute. Of these, 34% were selected from customers' Favorite Lists, indicating substantial preparation by shoppers.
Intesa Sanpaolo Group has announced robust financial results for the first nine months of 2024, marking a net profit of €7.2 billion. The bank recorded €2.4 billion in net profit in the third quarter alone, highlighting its sustained financial growth and commitment to shareholder returns. This performance strengthens Intesa Sanpaolo’s position among Europe’s leading banks by market value.
BCR Group reported a net profit of RON 2.2 billion (€446 million) for the first nine months of 2024, marking a 30.6% increase from the same period last year. This growth was driven by a rise in operating income, underpinned by a 9.3% increase in net loans and customer advances to RON 64.2 billion (€12.9 billion) by the end of September 2024. BCR’s digital ecosystem also expanded significantly, with George, its internet and mobile banking platform, reaching 2.47 million users, including nearly 2.1 million active users, a 16% increase year-on-year.
BASF reported steady sales of €15.7 billion in Q3 2024, matching the figures from the same period last year. The company’s EBITDA before depreciation, amortization, and exceptional charges rose to €1.6 billion, an increase of €77 million year-over-year. This growth stemmed primarily from improved results in BASF’s core segments, including Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care, where higher volumes and better margins offset declines in standalone businesses.
A €6 million investment from European funds will be directed over the next 12 months towards training medical personnel in the use of new technologies, marking a crucial step in the digital transformation of Romania’s healthcare system. This is the first phase of a broader program valued at tens of millions of euros, designed to enhance the digital competencies of healthcare professionals.
Infosan, the only private pediatric ophthalmology hospital in Romania, has begun the construction of a new clinic in Bucharest, expanding its footprint in the medical services market. The company is investing approximately €2 million from its own funds into the project, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. The new facility, located in the Iancului - Vatra Luminoasă area, will have the capacity to serve up to 200 patients per day, offering ophthalmological services for both children and adults.
Wolt, the Finnish-origin local commerce platform, has signed an agreement to acquire Tazz, one of Romania's leading delivery platforms and part of the eMAG group. The transaction is expected to close within the next few months, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
Intesa Sanpaolo Bank România, a subsidiary of the prominent European financial group Intesa Sanpaolo, has appointed Alessio Cioni as its new Chief Executive Officer and General Director. With the official approval of the National Bank of Romania, Cioni's mandate began on October 8, 2024, marking a significant leadership transition for the bank. He succeeds Paolo Vivona, who has taken on a new executive role within the Group.
Restart Energy has successfully completed a photovoltaic power plant for Fileca Industry, valued at over €300,000. The new facility, located in Beclean, Bistrița-Năsăud County, is designed to generate significant energy savings while contributing to environmental sustainability.
NEPI Rockcastle, a leading real estate developer and investment group in Central and Eastern Europe, has successfully issued EUR 500 million in green bonds, with legal counsel provided by Clifford Chance Badea. The issuance, which was oversubscribed by more than six times, marks NEPI Rockcastle's return to the Eurobond market after more than two years.