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GDP grew 0.3 per cent in the euro zone in the third quarter compared to the same period a year earlier and was up 0.4 per cent for the bloc of 28 European Union member states, according to official figures. Gross domestic product in the 19-nation currency union also rose 0.3 per cent in the […]

Yesterday the European Commission kicked off its 2017 economic semester – its annual cycle of budgetary surveillance introduced in the wake of the financial crisis. But tacked on to the usual analysis of the budgetary plan of each member state was a “communique” which recommended that the euro zone embrace a policy of fiscal expansion […]

Q: I’m in the process of opening a new shop. Can you point me in the direction of grant assistance that would be available to help me with the fit-out? A: Sadly, there is no grant assistance available for retail operations. There are lots of grants available for manufacturing businesses, but as you will be […]

One of Donald Trump’s key economic advisers has said the United States wants to “emulate Ireland” under the president-elect’s corporate tax policies. Stephen Moore said the US had learned a lesson in business development and competitiveness from Ireland. Mr Moore warned last week that a “flood of companies” would leave Ireland when Mr Trump implemented […]

The pace of construction activity in Ireland has surged to its highest level in seven months, according to data released by Ulster Bank today. The acceleration of construction output has seen demand for workers rise, with a third of Irish building firms reporting an increase in employment. The rate of hiring hit an eight-month high […]

The Irish economy will be able to shake off the uncertainty posed by the Brexit vote, Moody’s has said. The ratings giant said Ireland would continue to outperform other European countries, forecasting the economy would increase by 3.4pc this year and 3.1pc in 2017. That’s more conservative that the predictions from the Department of Finance, […]

European lenders got a second-day boost after Donald Trump’s presidential win on speculation that his term will lead to increased inflation and an easing of financial rules. UBS Group and Credit Suisse Group, which get more than 35pc of their revenues from the Americas, helped lead the rally that pushed Europe’s banks to their best […]

Today, bachelors and bachelorettes across China will gather to celebrate SinglesDay – a day in the Chinese calendar where those not romantically involved celebrate being unattached. The date, November 11, is chosen because the number “1” is said to resemble an individual that is alone. It’s referred to as ‘Bare Sticks Day’ in China, because […]

The Government is facing urgent calls to act swiftly to protect US investment in Ireland after a top adviser to Donald Trump warned a “flood of companies” will leave under the new regime’s tax plans. The serious threat issued by Mr Trump’s economic adviser Stephen Moore sent shockwaves through political circles yesterday as the fallout […]

Motor insurance premiums fell last month, for the first time in years. New inflation figures from the Central Statistics Office show that motor insurance costs fell by 8.2pc in October compared to the previous month. This is in contrast to rises of close to 40pc in the summer. The cost of insuring a car and […]