Sentiment towards savings down in April – Nationwide UK / ESRI survey
Consumer sentiment towards saving fell slightly in April, according to the latest Nationwide UK (Ireland) / ESRI Savings Index.
The monthly measure of people’s attitudes towards saving was 101 in April – down one point from the figure recorded in March.
The majority of those surveyed – 60% – said Government policy was discouraging people from saving, with just a quarter believing that now was a good time to save.
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Noonan dismisses fears of housing bubble
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said assisting first-time buyers to secure mortgages will help stimulate the construction sector and has dismissed speculation it could fuel another bubble. Reacting to reports that the Government would in effect be subsidising mortgages, Mr Noonan said the current system was preventing young couples from getting on the property ladder.
His comments came ahead of today’s launch of the Government’s strategy for a renewed …
Construction plan won't lead to property bubble – Noonan
Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said plans to boost the construction sector will not lead to a property bubble.
Mr Noonan was speaking ahead of a Government announcement today of a package of measures aimed at stimulating activity in the building industry. He said more houses were needed.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the initiatives should give fresh hope to the 100,000 skilled construction workers on the live register.
Today’s announcement …
Consumer confidence hits seven year high
CONSUMER confidence rose again last month to hit a seven-year high.
The increase is despite household finances being under continued pressure, especially with the advent of water charges.
KBC Bank and the Economic and Social Research Institute said the index of consumer sentiment jumped to 87.3 in April, from 83.1 in the previous month.
This is the highest level since January 2007.
But economist with KBC Bank Austin Hughes warned …
European shares rise sharply to six year high
European shares rose on Tuesday, with a key regional index making fresh six-year highs, as a rally in U.S. shares and upbeat updates from blue-chips such as steelmaker ThyssenKrupp supported risk appetite.
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index was up 0.2 percent at 1,367.60 points, its highest level since May 2008. Britain’s FTSE was up 0.2 percent after briefly hitting its highest point in roughly a year.
Shares in Germany’s ThyssenKrupp …