Archive for February 2020
Euro zone business lending still weak amid slowdown
Lending to euro zone companies held at a two-year low last month despite lending to households hitting yet another post-crisis high, European Central Bank data showed today. Today’s new figures highlighted a growing divergence in the bloc’s economy. Struggling under the weight of a global trade war and a manufacturing recession euro zone exporters have…
Read MoreHigh debt pile a low risk to economy, says NTMA chief
While Ireland’s stock of sovereign debt is still high, the risk it presents to the country’s economic future is now low due to a lower interest bill, better government finances and higher credit ratings. This is according to the chief executive of the National Treasury Management Agency. “I would caution that we are still not…
Read MoreEuropean stocks dive 3% as coronavirus raises recession fears
European shares sank between 2% and 3% this morning as investors feared a global recession is on the horizon with the coronavirus spreading across the world. Four more countries – including Northern Ireland – reported their first cases of coronavirus, pushing the number of countries outside China, the source of the outbreak with infections, to 55. The…
Read MorePrices in Ireland 27% above EU average – CSO
Irish consumers pay the second highest prices in Europe, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office. The country also has the highest proportion across the EU of graduates in the so-called STEM subjects of mathematics, science and technology. The Measuring Ireland’s Progress report for 2018, published by the CSO, paints a picture of…
Read MoreIreland’s tax rules ‘used for aggressive tax planning’
The European Commission has claimed that “Ireland’s tax rules are used for aggressive tax planning”. The claim is made in a report on the Irish economy published today. The report is part of a package of reports on all member state economies regularly produced by the Commission. The Commission makes specific reference to withholding taxes,…
Read MoreConsumer sentiment remains subdued in February
Consumer sentiment remained subdued in February as concerns over household finances largely cancelled out optimism around the economy in general, a new survey shows today. Ireland has remained the European Union’s fastest growing economy during three years of Brexit talks. But today’s survey shows that many consumers are not seeing an improvement to their financial…
Read MoreAverage earnings rise by 3.5% last year – CSO
Average earnings in the economy rose by 3.5% last year, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The highest earnings were in the Information and Communication sector while the lowest earnings were in the Accommodation and Food Services sector. Today’s CSO figures show that in the last three months of last year,…
Read MoreEnterprise Ireland invested €24m in Irish start-ups
600 delegates are attending the Enterprise Ireland Start-Up Showcase today in Croke Park. Enterprise Ireland, the government agency responsible for the development and growth of Irish companies in global markets, invested a total of €24m in Irish start-ups in 2019 and supported a total of 127 start-up companies. The investments were provided through Enterprise Ireland’s…
Read MoreEarly gains fade for European shares as virus fears weigh
European shares edged lower today after recording their worst losses since June 2016 in the previous session. Trading was still dominated by concern that the coronavirus outbreak is spreading fast outside China. After opening up about 0.4%, the pan-European STOXX 600 shed those gains more than hour into trading to trade 0.3% lower. Banking shares were…
Read MoreEU budget summit ends with no agreement
A marathon EU summit called to set the next seven-year budget ended in impasse tonight after the 27 member countries failed to find common ground. The two-day gathering saw a stand-off between poorer countries and “frugal” member states seeking to rein in spending. The departure of the UK means there will be a hole of…
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