Author: splash

Pound near 2-week lows on fears of second virus wave

Sterling steadied near two-week lows against the dollar and euro as fears of a second wave of coronavirus hit risk sentiment and global markets. Investors were also nervous ahead of a key meeting on Brexit negotiations. A fresh coronavirus outbreak in China and rising infection numbers in the United States – even as major economies […]

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Footfall in Dublin city rose to 160,000 today

Retailers in Dublin are reporting steady progress in opening up the city centre since Covid-19 restrictions on all shops were lifted on Monday. Today footfall was around 160,000 people, up from 100,000 on Monday. However, although footfall today was up substantially on the almost 95,000 of Wednesday last week, it is still down considerably on the 400,000 on […]

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OECD says Covid-19 support measures may need to be extended

The OECD has said that the Irish economy is set to contract strongly in the first half of this year due to the Covid-19 lockdown as it urged the Government to be prepared to extend existing support measures if required.  In its latest economic outlook, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said that GDP […]

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Over 50% drop in trade after first Covid-19 restrictions lifted

Companies that reopened under the first phase of the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions are experiencing less than half their usual level of business activity for this time of the year, a new survey has found. The survey of businesses across the country also found that a quarter of respondents expect to have earnings that will be […]

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Over 50% drop in trade after first Covid-19 restrictions lifted

Companies that reopened under the first phase of the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions are experiencing less than half their usual level of business activity for this time of the year, a new survey has found. The survey of businesses across the country also found that a quarter of respondents expect to have earnings that will be […]

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Loan interest rate of 4.5% for SMEs criticised

The State has been criticised for offering micro finance loans at an interest rate of 4.5% at a time when the country can borrow on international markets at an interest rate of zero. Speaking before the Dáil Special Committee on Covid-19, the secretary general of the Department of Enterprise, Business and Innovation, Dr Orlaigh Quinn […]

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Loan interest rate of 4.5% for SMEs criticised

The State has been criticised for offering micro finance loans at an interest rate of 4.5% at a time when the country can borrow on international markets at an interest rate of zero. Speaking before the Dáil Special Committee on Covid-19, the secretary general of the Department of Enterprise, Business and Innovation, Dr Orlaigh Quinn […]

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NTMA raises €6 billion from 10-year syndicate

The National Treasury Management Agency raised €6 billion in a sale of a 10 year bond today. The funds were raised at a yield of 0.285% following strong demand from investors. The issue drew almost €70 billion of demand, more than twice the previous record for an Irish sovereign bond. The sale saw the NTMA […]

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NTMA raises €6 billion from 10-year syndicate

The National Treasury Management Agency raised €6 billion in a sale of a 10 year bond today. The funds were raised at a yield of 0.285% following strong demand from investors. The issue drew almost €70 billion of demand, more than twice the previous record for an Irish sovereign bond. The sale saw the NTMA […]

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Household spending plunge pulls down euro zone GDP in the first quarter of 2020

A plunge in household spending and investment pulled down euro zone gross domestic product in the first quarter as the Covid-19 pandemic struck. But the fall was slightly smaller than first estimated, the European Union’s statistics office said.  Eurostat said GDP of the 19 countries sharing the euro contracted 3.6% quarter-on-quarter for a 3.1% year-on-year fall.  […]

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