Brian Finn

Business Journalist

Brian Finn is a Business Journalist and presenter with RTE News across radio, television and online.

Most analysts agree that interest rate hikes will contain house price growth to some extent

Could rising rates cause property prices to fall?

The impact of rising mortgage servicing costs on the property market is one that hasn't had to be considered for many years. There are signs of a marked slowdown in the rate of increase in prices here with higher rates undoubtedly having an impact. But could it result in prices actually falling?

Business • 19 Feb 23

Over three quarters of Irish respondents - 76% - said they were concerned that the prices of everyday purchases will rise further

3 in 5 have no money left at the end of the month

Three in five Irish consumers say they have no extra money left at the end of the month and half of all respondents here feel their financial situation has worsened over the past year.

Business • 15 Feb 23

All of the providers in the market have recently increased or are about to increase premiums

More health insurance price hikes 'cannot be ruled out'

Further increases in health insurance premiums cannot be ruled out later this year, according to one health insurance expert.

Business • 14 Feb 23

M&A volumes and values declined in 2022 from a record high of 65,000 deals in 2021, with the falloff in activity intensifying in the second half of the year

Global M&A activity set to rebound later in 2023 - PwC

Having declined throughout 2022, global merger and acquisitions (M&A) activity is likely to increase again in the second half of this year, according to PwC's 2023 Global M&A Industry Trends Outlook.

Business • 14 Feb 23

Mercer estimates that the aggregate DB balance-sheet position for ISEQ-listed companies could be a surplus of over €1 billion at the end of 2022

Rising bond yields in 2022 shore up DB pension schemes

The rising interest rate environment and subsequent increase in bond yields helped to shore up the funding positions of the defined benefit (DB) pension schemes of ISEQ companies in 2022.

Business • 14 Feb 23

The Minister for Finance confirmed to RTE News over the weekend that the supports for business struggling to pay energy bills were to be reviewed

Call for extension and streamlining of TBESS process

ISME, the group representing small and medium sized firms, has called for the continuation of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme beyond the end of February and for the streamlining of the application process which it says is 'extremely complex' to apply for.

Business • 13 Feb 23

At €1,733 per month, the average rent at the end of last year was 126% higher than it was at the low of €765 that was seen in late 2011

Rental prices up 13.7% amid 'chronic' supply shortage

Rents being sought on the open market in the final three months of 2022 were 13.7% higher than the same period in the prior year, the latest rental report from the property website Daft.ie shows.

Business • 13 Feb 23

Sub-contractor rates increased at an accelerated and marked pace, the report noted

Construction sector contracts but signs of costs easing

There was a further contraction in activity in the Irish construction sector in January, but cost and supply pressures showed signs of easing.

Business • 13 Feb 23

An increase of half a percentage point in interest rates looks like a 'done deal' this Thursday, according to analysts at ING

More interest rate hikes in prospect? Almost certainly

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank meets this week to consider its next move on interest rates. Having hiked rates aggressively since the summer, could it now take a breather as inflation shows signs of abating? It's not likely with another half point increase expected on Thursday.

Business • 30 Jan 23

Dara Deering, CEO of Home Building Finance Ireland

HBFI grows total loan approvals to almost €1.25bn

The state agency that was established with the aim of funding the delivery of new homes reported an increase in total loan approvals to just shy of €1.25 billion by the end of 2022.

Business • 25 Jan 23