The shareholders’ meeting of MetLife (Kyiv) on May 28, 2025, decided to pay dividends in the amount of UAH 270.486 million (UAH 32.85 per share), according to information published by the insurer in the disclosure system of the National Securities Commission of Ukraine.According to the published data, the payment will be made in US dollars, subject to the restrictions imposed by the National Bank of Ukraine on the transfer of foreign currency by residents abroad to foreign investors/non-residents for the payment of dividends from July 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026.The company has been operating in Ukraine since 2002. Its main areas of business are life insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, corporate insurance, and bancassurance.
In recent years, the real estate market in Serbia has shown a unique trend: the vast majority of transactions are made in cash. According to data from the
Republic Geodetic Administration (RGZ), in the fourth quarter of 2024, 89% of all real estate transactions were paid in cash, including 76% of apartment purchases. In Belgrade, this figure was 70.4%, and in Novi Sad, 71.8%.
Experts identify several factors contributing to the high level of cash payments in the real estate market:
Limited access to mortgage lending: High interest rates and strict bank requirements make mortgages less accessible to many citizens.
Savings and investments: Citizens with savings prefer to invest in real estate, considering it a reliable way to preserve capital.
Financial support from relatives: Buyers often receive funds from family members or from the sale of inherited property.
Some analysts are concerned that the high level of cash payments may indicate attempts to legalize income of dubious origin. However, according to experts such as Alexander Radivojevic, most real estate transactions in Serbia are legal, and it is incorrect to link them to money laundering without sufficient grounds.
Impact on the real estate market
The prevalence of cash payments has a significant impact on the real estate market:
Rising housing prices: High demand from cash buyers contributes to rising real estate prices.
Reduced housing affordability: For citizens who do not have significant savings, purchasing a home becomes less affordable.
Declining role of mortgage lending: Banks are facing a decline in demand for mortgage loans, which may affect their lending policies.
To ensure transparency and stability in the real estate market in Serbia, the following is recommended:
Improving access to mortgage lending: Developing programs with more favorable terms for borrowers.
Strengthening control over financial flows: Improving the effectiveness of monitoring large cash transactions.
Improving financial literacy among the population: Informing citizens about the advantages and risks of different methods of financing home purchases.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/1032
In the period from January to May 2025, inflation in the Netherlands showed moderate growth, remaining above the eurozone average. According to data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), consumer prices rose by 3.3% in January compared to the same month last year, down from 4.1% in December 2024.
According to the Indeflatie website, the average inflation rate in the Netherlands for 2025 is 3.7%, which is higher than the 3.35% recorded in 2024.
The main factors contributing to inflation are rising prices for housing, water, and energy, as well as an increase in the cost of services due to rising wages.
However, despite moderate inflation, there are external economic risks that could affect the country’s economic situation.
In particular, a possible escalation of trade relations between the US and the European Union could lead to an increase in inflation in the Netherlands by 0.5 percentage points in 2025 and 2026.
Thus, in the first half of 2025, inflation in the Netherlands will remain moderate, but external economic factors could have a significant impact on further price dynamics.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/inflation-in-the-netherlands/
PJSC Ukrnafta continues to support its mobilized colleagues and has already allocated over UAH 17.8 million this year to help employees who have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and their teams.
“These funds were used to purchase necessary equipment and supplies: vehicles, tires, drones, electronic warfare systems, communication devices, charging stations, generators, personal protective equipment, and various types of components,” the company said on Facebook on Monday.
Currently, more than 1,000 Ukrnafta employees are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Ukrnafta systematically supports its people by providing them with everything they need for their service. In addition, the company cares for the families of military personnel and implements a program to help veterans adapt after their return,” the company said.
As reported by the company in May, Ukrnafta, together with the Come Back Alive Foundation, donated weapons and equipment worth UAH 1.235 billion to the front line: FPV drones, aviation complexes, quadcopters, mortars, grenade launchers, machine guns, pickups, off-road vehicles, mobile workshops, electronic warfare and electronic countermeasure equipment, body armor, night vision devices, generators, and Starlinks.
Ukrnafta’s net profit for 2024 amounted to UAH 16.38 billion.
Ukrnafta is Ukraine’s largest oil producer and operator of the national network of gas stations. In March 2024, the company took over the management of Glusco’s assets and now operates a total of 544 gas stations, 461 of which are owned by the company and 83 are under management. It holds 92 special permits for industrial development of deposits. The company has 1,832 oil and 154 gas production wells on its balance sheet.
The largest shareholder of Ukrnafta is Naftogaz of Ukraine with a 50%+1 share. In November 2022, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to transfer the corporate rights of the company, which were previously owned by private owners, to the state and are currently managed by the Ministry of Defense.
In January-May of this year, the Zaporizhstal steel plant in Zaporizhia increased its rolled steel output by 4.6% compared to the same period last year, to 1 million 97.3 thousand tons from 1 million 48.8 thousand tons.
According to the plant’s press release on Monday, steel production for the period amounted to 1 million 296.8 thousand tons (in January-May 2024 – 1 million 249.5 thousand tons), pig iron – 1 million 426.9 thousand tons (1 million 290.4 thousand tons).
In May, Zaporizhstal produced 294.5 thousand tons of pig iron, 277.9 thousand tons of steel, and 233.1 thousand tons of rolled products.
As reported, in 2024, Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel production by 18.1% compared to 2023, to 2 million 426.7 thousand tons from 2 million 54.7 thousand tons, and steel production by 17.2%, to 2 million 890.8 thousand
Zaporizhstal increased its rolled steel output in 2023 by 57.2% compared to 2022, to 2 million 54.7 thousand tons,
steel by 65.4% to 2 million 466.9 thousand tons, and pig iron by 35.3% to 2 million 718.9 thousand tons.
Zaporizhstal is one of Ukraine’s largest industrial enterprises, whose products are in high demand among consumers both on the domestic market and in many countries around the world.
Zaporizhstal is in the process of integration into the Metinvest Group, whose main shareholders are System Capital Management (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%).
Metinvest Holding LLC is the managing company of the Metinvest Group.
