US and China strike deal to ease growing trade tensions
The US and China agreed to the first phase of a broader trade agreement that will see the US reduce tariffs, and at least temporarily calm fears of an escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies. The deal announced hinges on China increasing purchases of American farm goods such as soybeans and pork, […]
Motor premiums rise 42% despite cost of claims falling – Central Bank research
Average motor insurance premiums in Ireland rose 42% between 2009 and 2018, despite a decrease of 2.5% in the average cost of claims per policy over the same period, new data has revealed. The statistics also show that the average legal costs for motor insurance injury claims settled through litigation between 2015 and 2018 were […]
Euro zone business growth stayed weak in December – PMIs
Euro zone business growth remained weak in December, with tepid foreign demand exacerbating a contraction in manufacturing and offsetting a slight pick-up in services activity. IHS Markit’s Euro Zone Composite Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), seen as a good guide to economic health, stayed at 50.6 in December, a touch below a median 50.7 predicted […]
New five year plan to future-proof manufacturing sector here
The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys has today launched a five year plan to future-proof the manufacturing sector here. Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy was launched at the Irish Manufacturing Research Centre in Mullingar in Co Westmeath. It aims to help firms respond to the transformation of the manufacturing sector being driven by […]
50% of small enterprises impacted by Brexit – survey
A new survey has found that more than half of small and medium-sized Irish enterprises are experiencing some or significant impact as a result of Brexit. The research also found that a third of SMEs have postponed a business decision or investment because of the uncertainty around the UK’s departure from the EU, up from a fifth […]