Archive for April 2024
Leveraging Financial Forecasts to Anticipate Market Trends and Drive Business Strategy
In an ever-evolving marketplace, the ability to anticipate and strategically respond to future economic conditions is invaluable. Financial forecasts serve as a crucial tool in this regard, offering insights that help businesses not only survive but thrive. By understanding and leveraging these forecasts, KAAS know that companies can gain a significant strategic advantage, aligning their…
Read MoreGovernment recorded surplus of €8.3 billion last year – CSO
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the general government balance showed a surplus of €8.3 billion or 1.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023. This marked a slight decrease on the record surplus of €8.6 billion in 2022. The CSO said that total government revenue increased to €123.7 billion in 2023,…
Read MoreECB’s Lagarde says inflation more likely to ease but risks both way
Euro zone inflation is likely to decline further and the European Central Bank may cut interest rates if its long-standing price growth criteria are met, ECB President Christine Lagarde said today. “At the same time, the Governing Council is not pre-committing to a particular rate path,” Lagarde said, repeating the bank’s most recent guidance. “Risks…
Read More‘Green’ job postings jump 93%, but jobseekers wary
So-called ‘green’ job postings in Ireland are up over 90% since 2019, new data shows. The research from hiring platform Indeed highlights the growing demand for such roles, with sustainability now a top priority for many businesses. But the data suggests that companies are struggling to recruit for these positions, with searches by jobseekers down…
Read MoreDiesel & petrol prices hit highest level so far this year
The latest AA Ireland fuel price survey shows that petrol and diesel prices have hit their highest level so far this year. AA Ireland said that petrol and diesel prices have increased over the last few weeks after a fall was reported in March. Petrol prices rose to €1.81 a litre in April, while diesel…
Read MoreJob vacancies continuing to fall
The level of job vacancies continued to fall in the first quarter of the year according to the latest ‘Jobs Index’ from hiring platform IrishJobs. Vacancies were down by 3% compared to the previous quarter and declined by 28% on a year-on-year basis. The quarterly drop was the lowest fall in six successive quarters which…
Read MoreBPFI says SMEs face adjusting profit expectations as costs rise
Small and medium sized businesses will need to adjust their profit expectations in order to ensure the viability and continued growth of the sector, a new analysis has suggested. Publishing its latest SME Monitor, the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) also said that more strategic Government supports for small and medium sized firms will…
Read MoreConfirmed euro zone inflation fall bolsters ECB’s June rate cut plan
Euro zone inflation slowed across the board last month, reinforcing expectations for a European Central Bank interest rate cut in June, even as rising energy costs and a weak euro cloud the outlook, final data from Eurostat showed today. Inflation in the 20 nations sharing the euro currency slowed to 2.4% last month from 2.6%…
Read MoreProperty price growth speeds up to 6.1% in February – CSO
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that residential property prices grew at the fastest annual pace in just over a year in February. Property prices increased by 6.1% in February compared to growth of 5.4% a month earlier, the CSO said. Year-on-year price growth had cooled from a recent peak of 15.1% in…
Read MoreEU new car sales drop by 5.2% in March, says ACEA
New car sales in the European Union fell by 5.2% year-on-year in March, marking the first decline this year and the biggest since July 2022, Europe’s auto industry body said today, citing the impact of early Easter holidays and a market downturn. Top European carmakers Volkswagen and Stellantis have said the market will be tough…
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