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Manufacturing expands for second month in a row in February – PMI

2nd March 2020

Factory activity grew for a second month in a row in February on strong output and orders, a survey showed today. But concerns about coronavirus and a domestic political stalemate tempered expectations for future growth.  A six-year expansion in manufacturing came to an end in June as a slowdown in global trade and uncertainty over […]

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European shares stabilise after worst week since 2008

2nd March 2020

European shares steadied in opening trade this morning after their worst weekly showing since the 2008 financial crisis. Shares were higher on rising hopes that major central banks will step in to counter the impact of the coronavirus epidemic on global growth.  The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 1.8% after a 12% slump last week, […]

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Euro zone business lending still weak amid slowdown

28th February 2020

Lending to euro zone companies held at a two-year low last month despite lending to households hitting yet another post-crisis high, European Central Bank data showed today.  Today’s new figures highlighted a growing divergence in the bloc’s economy.  Struggling under the weight of a global trade war and a manufacturing recession euro zone exporters have […]

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Euro zone business lending still weak amid slowdown

28th February 2020

Lending to euro zone companies held at a two-year low last month despite lending to households hitting yet another post-crisis high, European Central Bank data showed today.  Today’s new figures highlighted a growing divergence in the bloc’s economy.  Struggling under the weight of a global trade war and a manufacturing recession euro zone exporters have […]

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High debt pile a low risk to economy, says NTMA chief

28th February 2020

While Ireland’s stock of sovereign debt is still high, the risk it presents to the country’s economic future is now low due to a lower interest bill, better government finances and higher credit ratings. This is according to the chief executive of the National Treasury Management Agency.  “I would caution that we are still not […]

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High debt pile a low risk to economy, says NTMA chief

28th February 2020

While Ireland’s stock of sovereign debt is still high, the risk it presents to the country’s economic future is now low due to a lower interest bill, better government finances and higher credit ratings. This is according to the chief executive of the National Treasury Management Agency.  “I would caution that we are still not […]

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European stocks dive 3% as coronavirus raises recession fears

28th February 2020

European shares sank between 2% and 3% this morning as investors feared a global recession is on the horizon with the coronavirus spreading across the world. Four more countries – including Northern Ireland – reported their first cases of coronavirus, pushing the number of countries outside China, the source of the outbreak with infections, to 55.  The […]

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European stocks dive 3% as coronavirus raises recession fears

28th February 2020

European shares sank between 2% and 3% this morning as investors feared a global recession is on the horizon with the coronavirus spreading across the world. Four more countries – including Northern Ireland – reported their first cases of coronavirus, pushing the number of countries outside China, the source of the outbreak with infections, to 55.  The […]

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Prices in Ireland 27% above EU average – CSO

27th February 2020

Irish consumers pay the second highest prices in Europe, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office.  The country also has the highest proportion across the EU of graduates in the so-called STEM subjects of mathematics, science and technology.  The Measuring Ireland’s Progress report for 2018, published by the CSO, paints a picture of […]

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Ireland’s tax rules ‘used for aggressive tax planning’

27th February 2020

The European Commission has claimed that “Ireland’s tax rules are used for aggressive tax planning”. The claim is made in a report on the Irish economy published today. The report is part of a package of reports on all member state economies regularly produced by the Commission. The Commission makes specific reference to withholding taxes, […]

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