Archive for May 2024

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that Ireland’s unadjusted exports of goods increased by €2.3 billion to €53.2 billion in the first quarter of this year compared with the same time last year. The CSO said that seasonally adjusted exports of goods amounted to €17.6 billion in March, virtually unchanged on the previous…

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that residential property prices grew by 7.3% on an annual basis in March. This marked the fastest rate of increase since December 2022 and the tenth monthly increase in a row. The CSO said that home prices rose in Dublin by 7.2% and outside of Dublin by…

Over €12 billion was spent using mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google pay in the 12 months to March, new data shows. The figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland reveal that mobile wallet payments accounted for more than half of the value of all contactless payments made during the period. €24 billion…

Public sector workers will today call for an increase in starting salaries amid claims that pay for new entrants is far too low. The issue will be debated at the biennial conference of Fórsa, the country’s largest public sector trade union. More than 700 delegates have gathered in Killarney for the event which began last…

In the quest for profitability and growth, businesses often focus on boosting revenue and overlook the significant impact of hidden costs. These are the expenses that are not always obvious but can cumulatively drain resources and reduce overall efficiency. Identifying and reducing these unnecessary expenditures is crucial for enhancing the financial health and operational effectiveness…

Having eased considerably last year, fuel forecourt prices are on the rise once again. In the space of a month average fuel prices have risen by 10-13.5%, according to AA Ireland, in no small part due to the latest phase of the Government’s excise duty restoration. PTSB has announced cuts to its standard three-year fixed-rate…

The European Commission has maintained its expectations for the performance of the Irish economy this year with a predicted GDP growth rate of 1.2%. In its Spring 2024 Economic Forecast, published today, the Commission has also forecast GDP growth of 3.6% for 2025, up from 3.2% predicted in the Winter Economic forecast which was published…

Capital allocation is a critical decision-making process that determines how a business invests its available financial resources. It involves choices about investing in new projects, expanding operations, or returning value to shareholders. For a business to thrive, it must ensure that its capital allocation strategy aligns with its long-term goals and market position. This article…