Munich - German hikers typically are demanding consumers, but they usually aren't materialistic, according to a recent survey.

When they buy an article of clothing to wear while hiking, it has to be of high quality and they tend to keep it for a long time, a survey of 1,002 consumers in Germany found.

The survey showed that the majority of hikers in Germany is female - 59.9 per cent. Compared to average consumers, this group possesses more than an average number of garments designed for their outdoor activity from well-known outdoor brands.

Hamburg - Too lazy to go to the gym? Several gadgets, that can easily be stored under lounge furniture, are on the market to help you keep up the training while you are watching TV or listening to music.

- A balance board is a wooden board with a ball underneath. It might take a little practise to stand on it but with time it can help improve coordination, body balance, foot and waist muscles.

- The Flexi-Bar looks like a bow with a rubber knob on either end. It was developed by physiotherapists. By swinging the gadget, vibrations are created which help to keep the deep spine muscles active, according to the manufacturers.

Munich - The giant German insurer Munich Re said Wednesday it was holding its dividend steady despite investment write-downs leading to a 47-per-cent slump in second-quarter earnings.

The Munich-based reinsurer said net profit in the three months to the end of June fell to 599 million euros (929 million dollars) compared to 1.14 billion euros a year ago.

Last month, the group said the shake-out in global financial markets sparked by the US subprime mortgage-sector crisis meant it could miss its 2008 earnings forecast.

However, the reinsurer said its 2008 dividend would remain at 5.50 euros a share.

Frankfurt - Germany's second biggest bank, Commerzbank AG, reported Wednesday a higher-than-forecast 6.4-per-cent rise in second-quarter net profit despite fresh write-downs resulting from the global financial crisis.

The Frankfurt-based bank said the rise in net quarterly profit to 817 million euros (1.3 billion dollars) was helped along by a tax gain.

However, the bank, which has been weighing up a merger with cross- town rival Dresdner, also went on to warn that tough market conditions could make mean that 2008 earnings could come in lower than last year.

Munich - Occupants of small mini cars such as the Fiat 500 have hardly any chance of surviving a head-on collision with a big Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), according to Germany's automobile association ADAC.

Summing up the results of a crash test conducted with an Audi Q7 and the new Fiat 500, the ADAC pointed out that even a small car with an above average safety standard stood no chance in a crash with an SUV.

Although the safety cell of the Fiat 500 has been classified as one of the best in its class, it could not withstand the sheer mass of the SUV with the main supporting strut of the Q7 boring itself into the safety cell of the Fiat, the test showed.

Berlin - Air conditioners in cars boost fuel consumption, but motorists can reduce this negative effect by using them more effectively, according to the German Energy Agency (dena).

For journeys lasting less than five minutes, it is better to leave the air conditioning switched off because energy consumption is highest during the start-up phase, the agency said.

Even during hot weather, it is not necessary to cool the car down a lot. A difference of five degrees Celsius between the indoor and outdoor temperature is sufficient, dena recommended.