Business News

Optimism within the Irish SME sector is at its highest level for over a year, according to the latest SME Confidence Index from non-bank lender Linked Finance. Linked Finance noted that larger SMEs, which employ between 10 and 250 workers, are the most upbeat, reporting a positivity rate of more than 72% on the index […]

The Central Bank has warned that Ireland’s exposure to global uncertainty and rising political and international trade tensions, raise the prospect of lower trade and economic growth. The regulator has also cautioned that with the economy performing at or above capacity, expansionary fiscal policy risks aggravating domestic pressures. The warnings are contained in its Financial […]

The State could face a cost of €20 billion if it fails to achieve reductions in carbon emissions in 2030, according to an assessment by the watchdog which advises on the public finances. The figure is far higher than a previous estimate of about €8 billion from the Climate Change Advisory Council. In its latest […]

It is “conceivable” that the European Central Bank will cut interest rates by 25 basis points at its next rate-setting meeting this month but not more, ECB policymaker Robert Holzmann said in a newspaper interview published today. Investors expect the ECB to cut interest rates at every one of its upcoming meetings at least until […]

Activity in the services sector increased last month as inflationary pressures eased, new data shows. The latest AIB Purchasing Managers’ Index shows that activity expanded at its fastest pace since April 2023. The index rose sharply to 58.3 in November, from 53.8 in October. Readings above 50 indicate overall growth in activity. The data shows […]

Passenger numbers at Dublin Airport in November were 3% higher than the same month last year, with numbers at Cork Airport up 5%. Airport operator daa said that last month was the busiest ever November for both Cork and Dublin Airports as the two airports saw almost 2.5 million passengers pass through their terminals in […]

It will be possible to hold virtual or hybrid AGMs and other general meetings of companies and societies as a result of the signing of an order commencing new legislation from today. The Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 will also give more powers to the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA). It will […]

The number of new mortgages approved in October was up 8.6% on the previous month. In total 4,829 new mortgages got the green light, up 13% compared to the same month last year. The latest Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) data shows almost two thirds of the total were for first time buyers. “In […]

Dublin has been ranked in 43rd place in an annual assessment of the quality of living standards of cities globally. This was down one place on last year’s 42nd position. The Mercer 2024 Quality of Living city ranking also placed the capital in 26th position out of 38 western European cities. This was also a […]

Euro zone inflation accelerated in November and its most closely watched components remained high, data showed today, adding to the case for a more cautious European Central Bank interest rate cut next month. Consumer price inflation in the 20 countries sharing the euro stood at 2.3% in November, according to the data from Eurostat. That […]