Posts by splash

The national commercial vacancy rate has reached its highest level on record at 14.5%, according to the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Buildings Report. The report, prepared by EY, shows the rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 14.5% in the last quarter of 2024, which is the highest level recorded by GeoDirectory since it began tracking…

For many business owners, tax compliance is a necessary but tedious obligation—something to be dealt with at year-end and then forgotten. However, tax planning should be more than just filing returns on time. At KAAS we know that a  well-thought-out tax strategy can significantly improve your bottom line, ensuring your business is not just compliant…

The National Treasury Management Agency will seek to raise €1 billion in nine and 12-year debt in its first bond auction of the year on Thursday, the National Treasury Management Agency said. Ireland has a relatively limited borrowing requirement this year due to its large cash balances and forecast budget surplus. It plans to issue…

The Central Bank has reduced its forecast for economic growth for this year due to rising uncertainty caused by the trade war between the US and EU. It says the domestic economy will grow by 2.7% which is 0.5% lower than its last projection. The bank also said fewer homes will be built over the…

There was an 81% surge in Irish exports to the US in January compared with the same month a year earlier, according to the Central Statistics Office. Total medical and pharmaceutical products sold abroad grew by 68%, today’s CSO figures show. There have been anecdotal indications that some companies could be stockpiling goods in the…

Inflation is an unavoidable reality that affects businesses of all sizes. While rising costs may be evident in energy bills or supplier prices, at KAAS we know that the hidden effects of inflation can be far more damaging if left unaddressed. Understanding these impacts and adopting proactive strategies can help your business stay ahead in…

Gold pierced through the psychological milestone of $3,000 an ounce today for the first time, building on an historic rally as trade tensions and US rate cut bets supercharge its appeal as a safe store of value. Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,997.75 an ounce in mid-morning trade after hitting a record high of…

Euro zone banks need to get into the habit of tapping the European Central Banks for cash, preparing for the continued decline in excess liquidity in the banking system, two top ECB officials said in a blog post today. Banks still sit on almost €3 trillion of excess liquidity, created by the ECB over the…

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said he will lead a “full trade mission to the United States” next month. It comes after US President Donald Trump increased tariffs on certain EU goods and threatened further action. Mr Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on wine, cognac and other alcohol imports from Europe, after…

New figures from the Central Statistics Office shows that inflation eased to an annual rate of 1.8% in February from a rate of 1.9% in January. Today’s figures show that prices in restaurants and hotels rose by 3.1% mainly due to higher prices for alcoholic drinks and food consumed in licensed premises, restaurants and cafes,…