Lack of IPOs, Digicel’s bonds, and Hodgis Figgis books strong profits

There will be no IPOs on the Irish stock market in the first half of this year due to volatile global trading conditions, its chief executive Daryl Byrne told Joe Brennan in an extensive interview.

The value of bonds in businessman Denis O'Brien's Digicel fell on Thursday afternoon as the telco's top executives fielded questions from analysts on a call about the rate at which its cash position declined late last year. Joe Brennan has the details.

Dublin bookstore Hodges Figgis is the second best performer in the Waterstones group across the UK and Ireland, with recent accounts showing a spike in profits last year. Gordon Deegan reports.

In our big read today, Dominic Coyle examines the multi-layered drugs approvals system here, and details the steps involved before the HSE will agree to purchase new drugs for patients.

State agencies paid €33,000 for staff to attend Pendulum Summit

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After half a century, will we ever reach peak Primark?

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Irish stocks a bright spot as global markets decline

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Marks & Spencer UK plans rights issue and dividend cut

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In his weekly column, John FitzGerald says any changes to the MetroLink rail project in Dublin should be based on a cost-benefit analysis and questions why the timeline for the partial closure of the Green Luas line has lengthened to four years.

In Caveat, Mark Paul wonders if we've reached Peak Penneys and if the successful Dublin-based retailer will finally join the online revolution.

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