Archive for November 2023
US Fed could hike rates again if ‘appropriate’ – Powell
The US Federal Reserve is prepared, if needed, to increase interest rates further in order to bring inflation down to its long-term 2% target, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said. “We know that ongoing progress toward our 2% goal is not assured: Inflation has given us a few head fakes,” Powell told a conference in…
Read More‘Cautious optimism’ among Irish firms about their outlook – Eurochambers
A slight improvement in business sentiment has been captured in the latest European Economic Survey carried out on behalf of Eurochambres, of which Chambers Ireland is a member. The outlook among businesses in Ireland for the year ahead has been described as one of “cautious optimism” with the majority of firms putting the emphasis on…
Read MoreNear 50% jump in value of car loans – BPFI
There has been a surge in the volume and value of car loans being issued here, according to the latest Personal Loans Report from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland. The report, which covers the three month period to the end of June, captured a year on year increase of 36% in the volume of car…
Read MoreThe Power of Community Partnerships: Creating Local Synergy
In today’s competitive business landscape, KAAS know that it’s easy to get caught up in the race for larger market share, increased profits, and global domination. However, KAAS understand that building strong community partnerships often gets overlooked, despite being a powerful strategy for mutual success and sustainable growth. This article delves into why and how…
Read MoreUnderlying inflation progress not enough, says ECB’s Lane
The European Central Bank is seeing some progress in its efforts to push down underlying inflation but this is not yet enough, ECB chief economist Philip Lane told a conference in Riga today. Professor Lane said he does not take a lot of comfort from the recent rapid fall in overall inflation because this is…
Read MoreECB must keep rates at or near 4% in 2024 to get inflation down – IMF
Rapid wage growth in the euro zone could keep inflation elevated longer and the European Central Bank should hold interest rates at or near record highs during next year to extinguish price pressures, the International Monetary Fund said today. The ECB broke a streak of ten rate hikes in a row last month, fuelling market…
Read MoreTánaiste hopeful for decision on beef exports ‘within months’
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that he is hopeful that Chinese authorities will reach a decision on the resumption of Irish beef exports to China “within a matter of months”. Exports to China have been stopped after a case of atypical BSE was detected in a bovine animal in Ireland. Mr Martin, who is on…
Read MoreJust 4% of top companies meet UN climate target guidelines – study
Half of the world’s 2,000 biggest listed companies have set a target to get to net-zero emissions by mid-century, but just a fraction meet tough United Nations guidelines for what constitutes a quality pledge, a report today shows. Net Zero Tracker, an independent data consortium including Oxford University, said corporate targets from Forbes2000 index companies…
Read MoreEuro zone economy started Q4 on back foot, stoking recession fears – PMI
The downturn in euro zone business activity accelerated last month as demand in the dominant services industry weakened further, a survey showed today, suggesting there is a growing chance of a recession in the 20-country currency union. The economy contracted 0.1% in the third quarter, official data has shown, and today’s final Composite Purchasing Managers’…
Read MoreCompetitiveness and costs top issues for manufacturers
Competitiveness and the cost of doing business in Ireland are among the top issues for the manufacturing sector, new data shows. However, the report by business group Ibec reveals that manufacturers are cautiously more optimistic about the business environment compared to last year. 67% of businesses surveyed said attracting and retaining talent was a major…
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