Brian Finn

Business Journalist

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

About 10% of companies in the US had reported for the fourth quarter so far with a fairly mixed outcome for earnings

Recent market rally prompted by improved outlook

Europe's main stock markets were little changed at the open today, failing to mirror strong overnight gains in Tokyo and on Wall Street.

Business • 24 Jan 23

SCARP was introduced as a cost-effective alternative to the examinership process which, due to its expense, is often out of the reach of small and micro-firms

365 jobs secured under small firm rescue process

365 jobs have so far been secured as a result of 16 small businesses availing of the expedited restructuring process for viable small firms which need to be rescued financially, according to an analysis by the business advisory firm, Baker Tilly.

Business • 23 Jan 23

A Central Bank study on under-insurance here published in recent months concluded that the incidence of it had grown significantly in recent years

Under-insurance leaving householders exposed

The levels of under-insurance in the market are growing with a Central Bank study showing an increase of 10 percentage points in the incidence of under-insurance over a five year period. It's leaving householders very exposed in the event of them needing to draw on their policies.

Business • 22 Jan 23

The study also pointed to a significant decrease in activity levels in accounts held by existing customers of the two banks between November and December

1 in 8 remaining Ulster and KBC customers still to act

Around one in eight remaining current account customers of Ulster Bank and KBC Bank Ireland have yet to open an account with another provider ahead of the impending departure of the two banks from the market here.

Business • 20 Jan 23

While tender price inflation is likely to come in at around 5% this year, it would be significantly lower than the record 12% inflation recorded in 2022

Continued cost inflation threatens housing output

There is a significant risk that the Government's 'Housing for All' target of 29,000 residential unit completions this year may not be met due to continued inflation in the construction sector.

Business • 19 Jan 23

The hike in repayments that tracker mortgage holders have had to endure over the last few months has been quite dramatic

Stay on track or fix now? The tracker mortgage dilemma

Interest rates are on the increase with more hikes expected from the ECB in the months ahead. Tracker mortgage holders have been bearing the full brunt of the increases. Should they ditch their tracker in favour of a fixed rate or hold steady? The answer, as ever, is not straightforward.

Business • 15 Jan 23

Paul Sommerville said the market was pricing in a pausing in interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve and perhaps even a cut to rates

Shares boost as investors digest US inflation data

European shares rose in early trade, moving towards their highest point in nine months, as official figures showed the British economy unexpectedly grew in November.

Business • 13 Jan 23

Some surveyors pinpointed the cost of construction as a particular concern in relation to the supply of new homes with inflation and labour shortages contributing to higher costs

Housing completions to decline as price inflation falls

Chartered surveyors warn that total housing completions this year and next may be negatively impacted by rising construction costs.

Business • 13 Jan 23

About three in ten Irish respondents said they were worried about not being able to generate a consistent income stream in retirement

Pension savers less optimistic as cost of living bites

Confidence among those saving for retirement has declined here with almost half of Irish savers saying they are not optimistic about how they will fund their living costs when they finish working.

Business • 12 Jan 23

While the banks have only partially applied the interest rate increases on to their fixed rate mortgage products, they have been slow to pass the increase in the deposit rate onto customer accounts

Trade Republic to offer 2% interest on cash balances

Share trading and savings platform Trade Republic has launched a new savings product here which will see it applying the full 2% interest on deposits from the European Central Bank to its customer cash balances.

Business • 04 Jan 23