many german corporations have been reporting record profits, whether it is chemicals giant basf, henkel, or the car makers. all have the burning prodigiously. because they cut costs during the financial crisis, today, they are awash in liquidity. the 30 companies on the dax have amassed nearly 150 billion euros in reserves. finally, interest rates remain low. it is market environments, germany retains its status as a trustworthy debtor. as a result, the governor -- the government, germany-based banks, and citizens can refinance at rock-bottom interest rates on like their counterparts in eurozone for free countries caught up in the crisis -- periphery countries, the crisis. if growth rates in the emerging markets begin to weaken, 2012 may not be as easy for industry here as 2011 was. >> the founder of the world's biggest mail-order retailer has died in berlin, aged 102. he launched his company more than 60 years ago. today, the group is a global corporation with 50,000 employees. besides real estate interests, it owns u.s. furniture and retail chain creighton barrel creightoncrate and --