Author: splash

The savings rate among households here has fallen back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. The latest National Accounts data shows that the household savings rate in Ireland fell to 10.08% in the third quarter of last year. That marks a decline from 11.05% in the second quarter […]

Varying regulation across the EU is the top challenge for businesses trading across borders, new research shows. The latest survey by Eurochambres, of which Chambers Ireland is a member, reveals the issues companies face when trading within the EU single market. 70% of those surveyed cited the difference in legal practices and contractual arrangements as […]

Some relief may be in store for Irish households and businesses when it comes to energy costs, with one analyst predicting the short-term power market price in Ireland could fall by over 18% this year. Cornwall Insight said higher than anticipated gas storage levels in the EU have reduced concerns that there could be shortages […]

Consumers are more optimistic about the outlook for the economy than was the case a year ago, according to the latest Reflecting Ireland survey from PTSB. Less than half of respondents – 47% – believe the economy will get worse over the coming year. That compares to 63% a year ago, and is down slightly […]

The average interest rate on a new mortgage in Ireland fell slightly again in November, new figures from the Central Bank show. The rate dropped from 4.27% in October, to 4.25% in November. This means that Ireland had the tenth lowest rate in the euro zone. The lowest rate was in Malta at 1.93%, while […]

The value of Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture exports declined by 4% last year to reach €16.3 billion, following a record breaking year in 2022 when exports grew by 22%. Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects report shows that exports were impacted by inflation and the cost of living crisis which affected consumer spending. There […]

Housing supply is unlikely to improve in the coming months, a new report from estate agent Lisney suggests. However, it states that more rental homes will become available to buy as private landlords exit the market. The report reveals that probate office delays are causing uncertainty for buyers, with a grant of probate now taking […]

Mortgage switching activity dropped 75% last November when compared to the same time the previous year, new figures show. The latest report from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) shows that just 355 mortgages were approved for this group during the month, down from 1,419 in November 2022. Overall, there has been a slowdown in […]

Enterprise Ireland has announced that net employment at its client firms grew by just over 5,000 last year to a record 225,500 in what was a “very challenging year for businesses”. The government agency supports Irish businesses, from start-ups to multinationals, to grow and scale and compete in global markets. 15,530 new jobs were created […]

Euro zone inflation surged in December and could still go higher in the early part of 2024, easing financial markets pressure on the European Central Bank to start cutting interest rates from record highs. Inflation across the 20-nation bloc jumped to 2.9% in December from 2.4% in November, just shy of expectations for a 3% […]