New measures aim to make Irish finance industry more attractiveIFSC: THE GOVERNMENT has introduced a package of 21 measures in the Finance Bill to help improve the attractiveness and competitiveness of the international financial services industry.
Moody's says up to 25% of mortgages face write-downA QUARTER of all Irish mortgage debt is susceptible to being written down under proposals in the Government’s personal insolvency legislation, the ratings agency Moody’s has estimated.
Financial Services »
- KBC Ireland may seek support from Belgian firm
KBC Bank Ireland chief executive John Reynolds said the lender may this year require its first capital injection from its Belgian parent since Ireland's property market collapsed in 2008.
- Little cheer for mortgage holders
There was little cheer for hard pressed Irish mortgage holders today as the European Central Bank opted to keep interest rates at 1 per cent.
Construction & Property »
- NI house prices drop by 10 per cent
House prices in Northern Ireland continue to tumble, with properties falling more than 10 per cent in value in the last year, according to the latest snapshot of the market.
- Rents rising despite fall in house prices
THE SUPPLY of rental properties has fallen and rents are on the rise despite a continuing fall in house prices, according to the latest report from property rental website Daft.ie.
Energy & Resources »
- BHP Billiton profits plunge 6%
BHP BILLITON, the world’s biggest miner, reported a rare fall in earnings yesterday, hurt by labour battles and weaker commodity prices.
- Oil falls to near $116 a barrel
Brent crude futures fell to near $116 a barrel today, as uncertainty over Greece's ability to resolve its debt problems weighed on sentiment and traders narrowed the benchmark's premium to US crude.
Health/Pharma »
- Elan predicts 17% revenue growth as Tysabri sales rise
BIOTECH GROUP Elan expects revenue growth of as much as 17 per cent this year as sales growth of the Tysabri multiple sclerosis drug accelerates.
CantillonInside the world of business
Media & Marketing »
- Advertising market will remain flat this year
MEDIA & MARKETING: AFTER A four-year “sledge-hammer” hit, the Irish advertising market will remain flat in 2012, according to an analysis of the sector by Core Media, the largest media buying agency in Ireland.
- Time Warner beat forecasts
Time Warner posted better-than-expected quarterly profit today helped by its cable networks and the last installment of its Harry Potter movie franchise.
Manufacturing »
- Kodak to end camera production
Eastman Kodak, the bankrupt inventor of the hand-held camera, plans to stop making digital cameras, pocket video cameras and digital picture frames in the first half of 2012 in a bid to cut costs.
- Emerging markets lift Diageo
Drinks group Diageo said strongly growing emerging markets and a slow recovery in North America helped to offset weakness in Europe, prompting upbeat comments about meeting its 2012 targets.
Retail & Services »
- Smartphones boost Vodafone Ireland
Irish customers continued to embrace smartphones in the last quarter of 2011, with sales of the devices rising by 50 per cent at Vodafone Ireland.
- McDonald's sales at established restaurants up 6.7% globally
McDonald’s reported a better-than-expected rise in January sales at established restaurants across the globe, as strength in the US helped offset the impact of economic weakness in Europe.
Transport & Tourism »
- Etihad 'monitoring' Aer Lingus
Etihad Airways, the Middle East's third-largest carrier, posted a first annual profit and said it is mulling further purchases following an investment in Air Berlin, with Aer Lingus being monitored.
- Bombardier buys former Nortel site
NORTEL NETWORK’S former Northern Ireland campus is set for a new lease of life after Bombardier Aerospace acquired the facility which had been on the market for £5 million.
Other Sectors »
Bord Bia event attracts 520 buyersCLOSE TO 180 Irish food companies gathered in the Convention Centre Dublin yesterday to meet prospective customers from 28 countries as part of Bord Bia’s Marketplace international event.
- O'Brien's Digicel to raise $250m in funding round
DENIS O’BRIEN’S Caribbean-based mobile phone group Digicel Ltd yesterday announced its intention to raise $250 million through a private placement of senior notes that would be due in 2020.
Market Data »
