Archive for April 2025
Gold maintains record rally as Trump’s attacks on Fed chief rattle traders
Gold prices soared to a record high, hitting the crucial $3,500 mark today, as concerns over US President Donald Trump’s criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell dampened risk sentiment and drove investors towards safe-haven bullion. Spot gold was up 2.2% at $3,493.41 an ounce this morning, after touching a record high of $3,500.05 per…
Read MoreRise in electricity costs amid move from fossil fuels, report suggests
Ireland faces the threat of higher electricity prices as it transitions away from fossil fuels to renewables, a new report by the National Economic and Social Council has found. The reports also warns the reliability of the energy supplies “may worsen” as Ireland moves to cleaner power generation if issues are not addressed. The State…
Read MoreEU says it will enforce digital rules irrespective of CEO and location
The European Union is determined to enforce its full digital rule book no matter who is in charge of companies such as X, Meta, Apple and Tiktok or where they are based, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Politico. “That’s why we’ve opened cases against TikTok, X, Apple, Meta just to name a few.…
Read MoreGoing from Good to Great: Using KPIs to Fine-Tune Your Business Operations
Running a business that’s “doing fine” is a comfortable place to be — but comfort rarely drives growth. If you want to take your business from good to great, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is the effective use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). At KAAS, we believe that KPIs are more…
Read MoreAnnual euro zone inflation eases 2.2% in March
New figures from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, show that euro area annual inflation fell to 2.2% in March from 2.3% in February. Euro zone inflation had stood at 2.4% in March of last year. Today’s figures show that the lowest annual rates of inflation were registered in France (0.9%), Denmark (1.4%),…
Read MoreAnnual house price growth slows to 8% in February – CSO
Residential property prices are up 8% in the 12 months to February 2025, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. It means the cost buying a home is continuing to accelerate, but at a marginally slower rate than it was during the previous 12 month period when prices rose by 8.2% in…
Read MoreEuropean Central Bank expected to cut interest rates for seventh time in a year
The European Central Bank is widely expected to cut interest rates by one-quarter of a percentage point later today. The development follows the latest inflation figures, for countries that use the euro, showing prices rose by 2.2% in March, down 0.1% on the February rate. It means the rise in the cost of living is…
Read MoreHow to Structure Staff Bonuses Without Breaking the Bank
Rewarding staff is one of the most effective ways to boost morale, drive performance, and retain key talent — but for many small business owners, the idea of bonuses can feel financially daunting. The good news? A well-structured bonus scheme doesn’t have to break the bank. At KAAS we believe that by thinking strategically, you…
Read MoreGovernment urged not to overly delay pension auto-enrolment
The Government is being urged not to defer the deadline for auto-enrolment of workers into pension schemes beyond early 2026. The deadline is set to be pushed by beyond the current September date, in an effort to keep business costs low. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said it is expected to be a short…
Read MorePharmaceutical exports jump by 146% in February – CSO
Preliminary figures from the Central Statistics Office show that exports of medical and pharmaceutical products jumped by €9.2 billion, or 145.7%, to €15.6 billion in February on the same month last year. The CSO said this represented 63.2% of total exports in February, which underscores the significance of the pharmaceutical industry to the Irish economy.…
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