44% of Irish food and agribusinesses have delayed investment due to uncertainty
Almost half of Irish food and Agribusinesses have delayed investment due to uncertainty, despite record optimism in the sector. The 2025 Food and Agribusiness Report, which is now in its 8th year, is based on the views of food and agribusiness leaders and is Ireland’s only dedicated sentiment tracker for the sector. The report is […]
26% of Irish adults don’t have retirement plan in place – CCPC
New research shows there has been in an increase in the number of Irish adults who do not have a retirement plan in place. The research from the Consumer and Competition Protection Commission found that one-in-four remain unprepared for retirement, up from one-in-five last year. A third of pension holders also regret not starting their […]
Are tariffs actually working for Donald Trump and the US?
President Trump’s confrontational approach to tariffs has dominated the transatlantic relationship since he returned to the White House in January. Following months of negotiations between EU and US officials, an agreement in principle was reached on 27 July in Scotland, with a follow-up “framework agreement” announced on 21 August. A costly trade war was averted, […]
Should young people make a will?
It’s unlikely young people in Ireland have ‘making a will’ as a priority in their lives. Only around one third of Irish adults have made a formal will, meaning most people don’t have one. But is it something young people should be considering? Contrary to popular opinion, making a will is not morbid, it is […]
Slowdown in headcount growth plans by Irish businesses – Ibec
There has been a fall in the proportion of companies planning to increase their headcount next year, according to a new survey from business group Ibec. The research shows that 37% of companies plan to increase headcount in 2026, down from 41% in 2025 and 45% in 2024. A total of 56% of respondents plan […]
Credit union loan book grows to record level
The combined loan book of Irish League of Credit Unions members reached its highest ever level of €6.24 billion, surpassing the previous record of €6.21 billion recorded in 2008. Mortgage lending played a big role, while new lending rules effective later this month are expected to have a significant impact. The ILCU represents 90% of […]
ECB holds rates unchanged, offers no clues about next move
The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged today as expected but offered no clues about its next move, even as investors continue to bet that more support will be needed as inflation dips below target next year. The ECB halved its key rate in the year to June but has been on hold at […]
Growth in SME sector holding in second quarter, says monitor
Two in five small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reported growth during the second quarter of the year, the highest level in over two years. The latest ‘All-Island Business Monitor’ shows more than half of SMEs remain stable, with contraction described as rare, as only 7% reported decline. The study shows that SME sentiment across the […]
ECB to hold rates again but keep door ajar to further easing
The European Central Bank is set to leave interest rates unchanged today as inflation remains in line with its target, but a fraught trade and political outlook means it will keep alive the prospect of further easing. The ECB halved its key rate to 2% in the year to June but has been on hold […]
Are we repeating mistakes of the global financial crisis with AI?
Opinion: If the current AI boom is in fact a bubble, I’m willing to bet that it won’t be the tech bros who pay the price I recently rewatched ‘The Big Short’. As an Oscar winning movie with a stellar cast and brilliant performances, especially from Steve Carrell and Christian Bale, it’s worth a watch […]
Electric Ireland gas prices fall, no rise in electricity prices
Electric Ireland is to decrease gas prices for 140,000 customers by 4% from the beginning of November, while there will be no increase for the company’s 1.1 million electricity customers ahead of the winter. The announcement from the country’s biggest energy supplier will be welcomed by consumers, who had been bracing for further price rises […]
Donohoe warns Govt against once-off measures in Budget
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has warned that the Government must change course in the upcoming Budget and move away from one-off cost of living measures. Mr Donohoe predicts that the ending of one-off payments, which he concedes will be difficult, will deliver a major change in current spending next year. He was speaking after […]
Government to publish action plan on competitiveness
The Government is to publish a new Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity today aimed at increasing Ireland’s international competitiveness and resilience. The initiative is designed to boost innovation, investment and productivity in key areas of the economy, in light of the evolving geopolitical and international trade environment. The 124-page plan, which covers six key […]
Fiscal watchdog warns Govt planning to spend too much in Budget
Ireland’s fiscal watchdog has warned that the Government is planning to spend too much money in next month’s Budget. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) said that a “more restrained approach would help avoid overheating the economy and leave room to respond to future downturns”. The organisation said a total spending increase of €9.4 billion […]
Ticketing platform StubHub eyes up to $9 billion valuation in US IPO
Madrone Partners-backed StubHub is targeting a valuation of up to $9.2 billion in its US initial public offering, the ticket reseller said, becoming the latest company to resume listing plans delayed in April due to tariff uncertainty. The New York-based firm is seeking up to $851m by offering 34 million shares priced between $22 and […]
Irish construction activity fell last month – AIB report
Irish construction activity continued to fall last month, according to AIB’s latest Construction Purchasing Managers Index. The headline seasonally adjusted figure fell to 45.9 in August, down from 47.1 in July, as firms signalled a renewed reduction in new business activity. It is the fourth successive month where the Construction Total Activity Index was below […]
Banks in joint plan to launch in-app instant payment service
AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB have announced joint plans to launch a person-to-person mobile-payment service to rival fintech banks such as Revolut and N26. The new offering, called Zippay, will be an in-app service available through the banks’ existing mobile banking apps. Customers will be able to send, request, and split payments instantly by […]
Call for Govt to tackle cost of doing business in Budget
The Small Firms Association (SFA) has called on the Government to introduce measures in the Budget to tackle the cost of doing business such as high labour costs. The SFA has also renewed its call to for the introduction of a temporary PRSI rebate when Budget 2026 is announced next month. The measure is among […]