Money Ireland

Markets news on stocks, currencies and commodities: German unemployment rose in April.

The Eurozone manufacturing downturn took a further turn for the worse in April. The seasonally adjusted Markit Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) fell to a near three-year low of 45.9, down from 47.7 in March and below the earlier flash estimate of 46.0. The headline PMI has signalled contraction in each of the past [...]

April data pointed to further reductions in manufacturing output and new business, although rates of decline were marginal in both cases according to the HSBC Bank PMI (Purchasing Managers” Index) today. Consequently, companies remained cautious with regards to hiring, highlighted by the index measuring trends in manufacturing employment reaching its lowest level in 37 months. [...]

An Bord Pleanála has approved planning permission for the first phase of what is termed a “Euro Chinese Trading Hub” at Creggan, near Athlone, including three major exhibition halls and other facilities totalling 102, 348sq m (1.1m sq ft). Information on this planned hub is limited and it may become a classic white elephant. Finfacts [...]

Irish Commercial Tenants Association spokesman, John Corcoran, owner of Korky’s Shoes, on Dublin’s Grafton Street, last week unveiled his latest banner on the street protesting against upward-only rent reviews. The current banner has been allowed by Dublin City Council until May 31st , the date of the EU Fiscal Treaty referendum. The group is recommending [...]

The pace of momentum in the Irish manufacturing sector’s recovery weakened in April as production fell for the first time in three months. That said, new orders continued to increase and firms took on staff at a faster pace. Meanwhile, input cost inflation accelerated for the fifth successive month, and was sharp.

Loans to Irish households continued to decline during March 2012, and were 3.9% lower on a year-to-year basis, following a decline of 4% for the year ending February 2012. Lending for house purchase was 2.4% lower on an annual basis in March 2012, while lending for consumption and other purposes declined by 8% over the [...]

Markets news on stocks, currencies and commodities: German retail sales rose in March; FBD says Irish insurance market contracted further in Q1 2012.

Principal news stories from the Irish Times and Irish Examiner.

Irish Economy 2012: The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, on Friday published Ireland’s Stability Programme Update (SPU) and submitted it to the EU Commission, which incorporates the Spring Forecasts for 2012. The lowered forecast GDP (gross domestic product) in 2012 to a 0.7% –  same level as achieved in 2011  – -  is in [...]

The volume of Irish retail sales (i.e. excluding price effects) increased by 0.2% in March 2012 when compared with February 2012 and there was an annual fall of 1.0%. If Motor Trades are excluded, the volume of retail sales increased by 0.3% in March 2012 when compared with February 2012, while there was an annual [...]