die
Gewinnwarnung
📉 What does "die Gewinnwarnung" mean?
A Gewinnwarnung is the German term for a profit warning. It's an official announcement made by a publicly listed company stating that its expected profits for a specific period (usually a quarter or fiscal year) are likely to be lower than previously forecasted or anticipated.
It's a mandatory disclosure (Ad-hoc-Mitteilung) required to promptly inform market participants (shareholders, investors) about significant, price-sensitive changes and to prevent insider trading.
The word is always feminine in German, so the article is invariably die.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Gewinnwarnung
The noun "Gewinnwarnung" is feminine.
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Gewinnwarnung | (the profit warning) |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Gewinnwarnung | (of the profit warning) |
| Dative (To whom?) | der | Gewinnwarnung | (to/for the profit warning) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Gewinnwarnung | (the profit warning) |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun | (English Meaning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gewinnwarnungen | (the profit warnings) |
| Genitive | der | Gewinnwarnungen | (of the profit warnings) |
| Dative | den | Gewinnwarnungen | (to/for the profit warnings) |
| Accusative | die | Gewinnwarnungen | (the profit warnings) |
📝 Example Sentences
- Die überraschende Gewinnwarnung des Unternehmens führte zu einem Kurssturz an der Börse.
(The company's surprising profit warning led to a stock market crash.) - Nach der Gewinnwarnung analysierten Experten die Gründe für die schlechtere Prognose.
(After the profit warning, experts analyzed the reasons for the poorer forecast.) - Der Vorstand musste eine Gewinnwarnung herausgeben, da die Verkaufszahlen hinter den Erwartungen zurückblieben.
(The board had to issue a profit warning because sales figures lagged behind expectations.)
📊 Usage in Context
The term "Gewinnwarnung" is used almost exclusively in an economic and financial context, particularly concerning reports about publicly traded companies.
- Stock Market Reports: In news about stock markets and corporate developments (Börsenberichte).
- Corporate Communication: As an official announcement from companies to the public and investors (Unternehmenskommunikation).
- Economic Analyses: When assessing the financial health and future prospects of companies (Wirtschaftsanalysen).
⚠️ A Gewinnwarnung is often received negatively and can shake investor confidence. However, it is an important tool for market transparency.
🧠 Mnemonics for Gewinnwarnung
- Article Mnemonic: Remember that a Warnung (warning) is feminine in German (die Warnung). Since a Gewinnwarnung is a specific type of warning, it keeps the feminine article: die Gewinnwarnung. Think of 'She issued a warning.'
- Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: Gewinn sounds a bit like 'gain' (profit) and Warnung is clearly 'warning'. So, it's a 'gain warning' – a warning about the expected gains (profits).
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Ergebniswarnung: (Results warning - more general than just profit)
- Umsatzwarnung: (Revenue warning - specific to sales figures)
- Prognosekorrektur (nach unten): (Forecast correction (downwards))
- Ad-hoc-Mitteilung (über negative Ergebnisentwicklung): (Ad hoc announcement (about negative earnings development))
Antonyms/Opposites (not always direct):
- Prognoseanhebung: (Forecast increase)
- Positive Gewinnentwicklung: (Positive profit development)
- Übertreffen der Erwartungen: (Exceeding expectations)
- Erfolgsmeldung: (Success announcement)
Similar but different terms:
- Geschäftsbericht: (Business report) - A comprehensive report, not just a warning.
- Konjunkturprognose: (Economic forecast) - Prediction for the economy, not company-specific.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Bäcker eine Gewinnwarnung herausgegeben?
(Why did the baker issue a profit warning?)
Weil ihm die Brötchen zu klein geraten sind und er befürchtete, weniger Teig zu machen!
(Because his rolls turned out too small and he was afraid he'd make less dough! (Note: 'Teig' means dough, but 'Kohle machen' or similar means 'to make money/dough'))
📜 Poem about the Warning
Die Zahlen rot, die Kurse fallen tief,
(The numbers red, the shares fall deep,)
ein Schock, der durch die Börse lief.
(A shock that through the market creeped.)
Die Firma spricht, mit ernstem Ton,
(The company speaks, in serious tone,)
vom schwindenden Gewinn, als Lohn.
(Of dwindling profit, as reward known.)
Die Gewinnwarnung, klar und schlicht,
(The profit warning, clear and plain,)
verändert schnell die ganze Sicht.
(Quickly changes the whole view again.)
❓ Riddle
Ich bin ein Wort aus der Finanzwelt,
(I am a word from the financial sphere,)
das manchen Anleger gar nicht gefällt.
(That many an investor does not hold dear.)
Ich sage voraus, mit ernster Miene,
(I predict, with a serious face,)
es gibt wohl bald weniger Gewinne.
(There will soon be less profit in this place.)
Man gibt mich raus, ist’s mal nicht gut bestellt.
(I am issued when things aren't looking bright.)
Was bin ich?
(What am I?)
(Solution: die Gewinnwarnung / a profit warning)
ℹ️ Additional Info
Word Composition:
The word "Gewinnwarnung" is a compound noun, formed from:
Together, it literally means a 'profit warning'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gewinnwarnung?
The German noun "Gewinnwarnung" is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is always die: die Gewinnwarnung (singular), die Gewinnwarnungen (plural). It refers to a company's announcement of expected lower profits, commonly known as a profit warning.