Archive for January 2026

A new economic assessment suggests that significantly increasing digital investment among Irish small and medium-sized enterprises could deliver a substantial boost to the wider economy. The research estimates that doubling the current average level of digital spend by SMEs has the potential to add €8.3 billion to Ireland’s economic output. The findings come from a…

Gold prices surged to unprecedented levels today, reflecting heightened investor anxiety amid escalating geopolitical tensions and growing uncertainty around US monetary policy leadership. Spot gold climbed sharply, trading around $4,585 per ounce after briefly breaking above the $4,600 mark for the first time. US gold futures for February delivery also advanced strongly, signalling sustained demand…

An Post has confirmed that the cost of sending letters will increase from Tuesday, 3 February, with changes affecting both domestic and international post. The price of a standard national stamp will rise by 20 cent, moving from €1.65 to €1.85. For international mail, a new €3.50 stamp will be introduced for letters sent anywhere…

New figures from the latest quarterly update show that the First Home Scheme has played a significant role in helping buyers access newly built homes since its introduction in 2022. To date, 4,887 homes have been purchased or self-built with the support of the scheme, while more than 9,000 applications have received approval. Activity remained…

Irish consumer confidence closed out 2025 at a relatively low level, reflecting persistent concerns about living costs even as headline economic indicators pointed to continued growth. The latest Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey shows sentiment edging up marginally in December to 61.2, from 61 in November. The movement is modest and does little to alter…

Irish households have experienced sustained pressure on food budgets over recent years, with the cost of everyday groceries rising sharply. Products such as beef, butter, milk and cheese have recorded some of the fastest price increases across the European Union, leaving many consumers questioning whether international trade agreements might eventually ease the strain. Recent figures…

UK house prices edged lower in December, bringing the average property value to its lowest point in six months, according to the latest Halifax house price index. Data from Halifax shows that average property prices fell by 0.6% over the month, a decline of £1,789, leaving the typical UK home valued at £297,755. This marked…

Inflation across the euro zone slowed in line with expectations at the end of last year, reaching the European Central Bank’s 2% target and setting the stage for potential undershooting in 2026. Latest figures from Eurostat show that headline inflation eased to 2% in December, down slightly from 2.1% the previous month. The outcome matched…

Ireland’s residential property market appears to be moving into a more measured phase, with the latest MyHome report pointing to a slowdown in price momentum towards the end of 2025. According to the report, produced in association with Bank of Ireland, national asking prices rose by 5.4% in the final quarter of the year. This…

Mortgage lender Avant Money has announced a series of changes to its mortgage products, including lower fixed rates and enhanced cashback offers for borrowers. The lender confirmed that fixed mortgage rates have been reduced by up to 0.35 per cent. In addition, cashback incentives have been increased, with customers now able to receive 2 per…