Annual rate of inflation eases to 8.9% in November
The annual rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, moderated to 8.9% in November, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show today. This compares to an annual rate of 9.2% in October – a 38 year high. Today’s CSO figures show that food prices continued to rise but the price of […]
Govt business energy support scheme open for claims
Businesses that are seeking assistance with meeting the cost of rising energy bills can now submit claims under the Government’s support scheme. Revenue has said eligible firms which have already registered for the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) can now lodge applications for the grant funding. Under the €1.2bn plan, businesses can recoup up […]
Households’ savings rate eases to 19% in Q3 – CSO
The rate of household savings fell in the third quarter of this year to 19% of disposable income, according to data published by the Central Statistics Office today. This was down on the 20% reported in the second quarter. This level is still high compared to pre-pandemic savings rates, which were around 10% according to […]
Pension auto-enrolment should include young, self-employed – ICTU
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is expected to tell the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection today that the Government’s new auto-enrolment pension scheme should include young and low-paid employees as well as sole traders. In October, the Government approved details of the new auto-enrolment scheme ahead of its expected introduction in 2024. Workers […]
ECB needs more rate hikes but inflation close to peak, says Lane
The European Central Bank will have to raise interest rates several more times to tame price pressures, even if headline inflation is now close to its peak, ECB chief economist Philip Lane told Italy’s Milano Finanza newspaper today. “We do expect that more rate increases will be necessary, but a lot has been done already,” […]
Euro zone likely heading into mild recession – PMI
Euro zone business activity declined for a fifth month in November, suggesting the economy was sliding into a mild recession as consumers cut spending amid surging inflation, a survey showed. S&P Global’s final composite Purchasing Managers’ Index for the euro zone, seen as a good guide to economic health, nudged up to 47.8 in November […]
96% of consumers worried about current cost of living – CSO
A new survey from the Central Statistics Office shows that 96% of respondents are concerned about the current cost of living, with 56% being very concerned. The CSO’s “Our Lives Our Money” Pulse Survey also shows that 63% of respondents believe they are in a worse financial situation now than they were a year ago. […]
Economy grew by 2.3% in Q3 – CSO
The economy grew by 2.3% from July to September of this year when measured by Gross Domestic Product. However, activity in the domestic economy measured by Modified Domestic Demand fell by 1.1%. Ireland’s economy was, again, the best performing economy in Europe in the third quarter of this year. On an annual basis, the economy […]
Most consumers to use savings to fund Christmas spend
Consumers are set to spend more this Christmas but plan to be less reliant on debt, according to research by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Consumers are expecting to spend an average of €1,200 on Christmas shopping this year. That compares to an average of €1,000 last year. Households with children are due to […]
Record level of corporation tax collected in November
A record €5 billion in corporation tax was collected in November, according to the latest Exchequer returns, the biggest monthly figure ever. The tax take, underpinned by a booming multinational sector, means the Exchequer has already passed the Budget Day target of €21 billion in corporation tax for the full year. It also represents a […]
Euro zone factory downturn eased in November
The downturn in manufacturing activity across the euro zone eased in November, according to a survey which suggests while the bloc’s factories still face a harsh winter it may not be as bad as initially feared. S&P Global’s final manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 47.1 from October’s 46.4, but was below a preliminary reading […]
Growing chance of global growth falling below 2% – IMF chief
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva has warned that the chance of global growth dropping below 2% – last seen during the coronavirus outbreak and the global financial crisis of 2009 – is increasing as major economies slow. Her comments come as the world’s biggest economies grapple with fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which sent food […]
One in 4 consumers switch insurance providers – Central Bank
Eight out of 10 car and home insurance consumers engage with their provider on renewal and one in four switch, according to research conducted by the Central Bank of Ireland. The findings are included in an Economic Letter entitled, “Engagement, switching, and digital usage in consumer and insurance markets: who does it and why it […]
New tipping laws come into force today
New laws governing the practice of tipping come into force from today, providing a boost to workers’ rights. Under the Payment of Wages Act employees now have a legal entitlement to receive tips and gratuities paid in electronic form. The new law also requires that this money should be paid to workers in a manner […]
Firms to start reporting on gender pay gaps from today
Companies across Ireland will start to publish information on their gender pay gaps from today. Firms of all sizes are being mandated to produce a report outlining the differential in pay and bonuses between their male and female employees. Companies with 250 or more employees were asked to select a date in June this year […]
Euro zone inflation falls for first time in 17 months, bolstering hopes for smaller ECB hike
The annual rate of inflation across the euro area eased back to 10% in November, according to an initial ‘flash’ estimate from the EU’s statistical agency Eurostat. This compares to an annual rate of 10.6% recorded in October and is the first fall in the rate of inflation in 17 consecutive months. The main contributor […]
Euro zone economic sentiment rebounds in November
Euro zone economic sentiment rebounded in November slightly more than expected, data showed today, rising for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February on more optimism among consumers and in services. The European Commission said its economic sentiment indicator rose to 93.7 in November from 92.7 in October, marginally beating consensus […]
Average weekly earnings up 3.2% to €864 – CSO
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that average weekly earnings were €864.32 in third quarter of this year, up 3.2% on the same period last year. Over the past three years, weekly earnings rose by 12.4%, from €769.14 in the third quarter of 2019. Today’s data shows that average hourly earnings increased by […]