Author: admin@fmb

Oil prices extended declines today amid signs of weak fuel demand and as comments from US Federal Reserve officials dampened hopes of interest rate cuts, which could slow growth and crimp energy use in the world’s biggest economy. Brent crude futures slid seven cents (0.1%) to stand at $82.72 a barrel this morning, while US […]

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Britain’s economy grew by the most in nearly in three years in the first quarter of 2024, ending the shallow recession it entered in the second half of last year and delivering a boost to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of an election. The Office for National Statistics said UK gross domestic product expanded by […]

Read More… from UK exits recession with better-than-expected 0.6% GDP growth

Almost 90% of the €1.65 billion debt which was still warehoused at the start of last month has been repaid or is in the process of being repaid, Revenue has said. The debt warehousing scheme was introduced near the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to help firms struggling with cash flow as a result of […]

Read More… from Revenue issues demands to 11,700 firms over warehoused debt

The number of green loans drawn down last year jumped over 90% when compared to 2022, new data shows. A green loan includes green car or auto finance and green home improvement loans, The data from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland shows that 4,266 such loans were drawn down last year. The value of these […]

Read More… from 90% jump in ‘green’ loan drawdowns last year

The average interest rate on a new mortgage in Ireland rose for the third month in a row in March to reach the highest level since 2017, new figures from the Central Bank show. Ireland had an average interest rate of 4.31% in March – the sixth highest rate in the euro zone, up one […]

Read More… from Irish mortgage rates see third monthly increase in a row

One in every four adults would choose to take the State pension six years earlier, even if it meant they received €60 less a week from it, new research has found. But less than one in five said they would stay at work until they were 70 in order to get an additional €60 a […]

Read More… from Half of adults happy with current State pension age of 66

Inflation in Ireland rose by 2.6% in the 12 months to April, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office, down from the rate of 2.9% the previous month. However when energy and unprocessed foods are excluded, the inflation rate stood at 3.5%. The difference reflects the fact that consumers have benefitted from […]

Read More… from Inflation rate slows to 2.6% in April from 2.9% in March – CSO

Almost 80% of prospective homebuyers are worried about the state of the property market, new data shows. The consumer sentiment research from property website MyHome.ie reveals that just 13% believe the next year would be a good time to buy. Meanwhile, nearly half said the cost of living crisis has meant they have had to […]

Read More… from Just 13% of prospective homebuyers think over the next year a good time to buy

Over 70% of businesses expect to increase salaries this year, while 40% plan to hire more staff, new data shows. The latest KPMG Enterprise Barometer reveals overall optimism among Irish businesses, with 65% expecting turnover to increase in the next 12 months However, those surveyed highlighted a number of challenges facing businesses this year, with […]

Read More… from Over 70% of businesses plan to increase staff salaries in 2024

PTSB said today it had recorded a strong financial performance in the first quarter of 2024, including an increase in net interest income and a doubling of business lending. In an interim management statement today, the bank said its mortgage market share during the three months from January to March declined slightly from the fourth […]

Read More… from PTSB reports 10% increase in Q1 net interest income