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BUSINESS FEATURES - IRISH EXAMINER

2016 jobs rising, but focus must be on quality not quantity

Friday, May 27, 2016Jim Power

I had previously believed that the health of the labour market would have had a major bearing on the outcome of the February general election, but that belief was naive.

The real challenge for Ryanair will be to replace Michael O’Leary

Thursday, May 26, 2016Paul Mills

One could mistakenly think that, with his successes to date, Ryanair chief executive, Michael O’Leary, might be kicking his heels a little. After all, he runs the biggest airline in Europe. It is highly profitable and Mr O’Leary’s success has been well-rewarded.

Challenging the structures used to produce and sell food

Wednesday, May 25, 2016Joe Gill

Fintech is a buzzword that has developed in financial markets. It refers to companies that combine technology with financial services to introduce new competition in the vast banking and insurance markets.

Cold-coffee boom starts to pour out across the US

Tuesday, May 24, 2016Jennifer Caplan, Bloomberg

A lightbulb moment by a US coffee executive while cruising in the Caribbean has created a boom product, writes Jennifer Caplan.

Markets not taking account of Fed plans for rate increases

Tuesday, May 24, 2016Oliver Mangan is chief economist with AIB

The euro has generally had the upper hand against the dollar this year, climbing from $1.08 to as high as $1.16 at one stage, despite the further loosening of monetary policy by the ECB, including cuts to interest rates.

Running out of excuses not to cut costly mortgage rates

Monday, May 23, 2016Brendan Burgess

The interest rate charged to an Irish borrower wishing to take out a new mortgage or to switch mortgage is the highest in the eurozone. The rate is not just a bit higher, it is way higher. The average rate for new business is 3.7% in Ireland compared with 2% across the eurozone.

Income or revenue? - Sizing up Donald Trump’s wealth

Saturday, May 21, 2016Timothy L O’Brien

Donald Trump has once again made his income and wealth objects of fascination and confusion in the US 2016 presidential race, this time, by filing an updated personal financial disclosure form with the Federal Election Commission.

Credibility of Central Bank at risk

Friday, May 20, 2016Jim Power

I am confused about how our ‘new politics’ is meant to work. I am less and less convinced that it will deliver the optimal outcome for the country.

Better for all if UK stays in the EU tent

Thursday, May 19, 2016Paul Mills

As the country finally cobbles together a Government after months of dithering ‘will they won’t they’, one newly appointed junior minister’s major concern appears to be about relaxing the smoking ban in pubs and restaurants. That he is the junior health minister with specific responsibility for disability makes it all the more surreal.

Ireland's economy still largely dependent on trade winds

Wednesday, May 18, 2016Joe Gill

Ireland’s status as a small open economy, and its dependence on external developments, is being brought into sharp relief by unfolding events.

Bank of England governor Mark Carney illustrates Brexit risks

Tuesday, May 17, 2016Oliver Mangan is chief economist at AIB

As expected, the May meeting of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) last week concluded with no changes to policy.

Irish whiskey exporters could be in for a windfall

Monday, May 16, 2016John Whelan

Irish whiskey producers may hit their target of doubling export sales much sooner than their planned 2020 date, if the UK votes them out of the EU on June 23.

Brexit could yet be swayed by the gut, not the brain

Monday, May 16, 2016Kyran Fitzgerald

Kyran Fitzgerald imagines the economic repercussions of the UK choosing to leave the EU. It would be a process rather than a sudden event, but businesses need to be prepared for it.

Water charge dithering is resulting in low ‘tax morale’

Monday, May 16, 2016Brian Keegan

Last week I received a bill from Irish Water. By temperament, I usually pay these things without too much analysis.

Ashley Madison hack pays off for Cork-based cyber security company

Monday, May 16, 2016

A Cork company has reaped the benefits of such high-profile cases as the Ashley Madison cyber-theft, writes Trish Dromey.

Social trust is good for economic growth

Saturday, May 14, 2016Brian Lucey

Would you trust a banker?

Politics in Ireland is in a mess and we have the government we deserve

Friday, May 13, 2016Jim Power

Economist, Jim Power, has found the past week profoundly anger-inducing and depressing in equal measure.

Banks likely to resist home loan rates cut

Thursday, May 12, 2016Paul Mills

No doubt, it is only coincidental that no sooner had Fianna Fáil resurrected a bill that would give powers to the Central Bank to impose ceilings on mortgage interest levels that AIB announced it would be reducing its mortgage variable rate from July.