Uncategorized

“Early.” This five letter word caused a slight ripple this week for those who read the tea leaves on the utterances of central bankers. Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, said in a speech in Slovenia that the bank’s purchases of bonds under its Asset Purchase Programme should conclude “early in the third…

Cairn Homes said it expects total build cost inflation – including infrastructure, materials and labour – of about 6% for this year but reiterated its full year guidance. In a trading update ahead of its AGM in Dublin today, the company said the build cost inflation outlook is uncertain. But it added that it anticipates…

Market rents in the first three months of the year were almost 12% higher than they were in the same period last year, according to the latest report from property website daft.ie. The average market rent between January and March stood at €1,567 per month, the report concludes, which was up almost 3% on the…

The Chief Executive of Lakeland Dairies, Michael Hanley has announced his decision to retire at the end of this year. He has held the position for 16 years but has worked with the co-operative for 36 years. During his term as CEO, Mr Hanley led the transformation of Lakeland Dairies to become the second largest…

FBD Holdings said today that its average motor insurance premium is 9% lower than the same time in 2021 and the company is seeing strong retention of existing customers. In a trading update ahead of its AGM today, FBD said the underwriting performance of its business for 2022 to date has been in line with…

Shipping operator Irish Continental Group has reported an increase in revenue for the first four months of the year. In a trading statement, the group provides comparisons to the same period last year as well as to the first four months of 2019, the year before the pandemic struck. ICG said group revenue up to…

European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde has hinted the Frankfurt-based institution could raise its interest rates from historic lows as soon as July as inflation in the eurozone soars. The ECB should end bond-buying “early in the third quarter”, Lagarde said in a speech in Ljubljana, and could then raise interest rates “only a few…

Fire protection company Writech has announced the creation of 50 jobs with the launch of a new design and innovation centre in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. The company has invested €2 million in the facility which uses state-of-the-art 3D technology to design, engineer, manufacture and assemble products and systems for clients. The centre will lead to…

The British government is not expected to announce any moves to unilaterally scrap the Northern Ireland Protocol. There had been reports in the British media that the Queen’s speech, which sets out the legislative programme for the year ahead, would announce a law to override the Northern Ireland Protocol. That would be regarded as a…

The Government is set to agree to extend the lower VAT rate for the hospitality sector when the Cabinet meets this morning. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is likely to bring what is termed an “under the arm” memo outlining the details of the extension. It is thought that the 9% lower VAT rate, which…