Brian Finn

Business Journalist

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

Housing activity also fell, but to a lesser extent than in the previous survey period

Construction activity contracts for a sixth month - PMI

There was a contraction in construction activity for the sixth month running in December, the latest Purchasing Managers' Index for the sector from BNP Paribas Real Estate Ireland shows.

Business • 15 Jan 24

The third quarter of 2023 saw the lowest savings rate for the last four years, with the rate hitting just over 10%

Household saving rate eases to 10% in Q3 from 11% - CSO

The savings rate among households here has fallen back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

Business • 11 Jan 24

ECB President Christine Lagarde said at the bank's December meeting that the Governing Council had not even discussed the prospect of cutting rates

Is March looking too optimistic for an ECB rate cut?

Confirmation of rapidly declining inflation supercharged expectations of interest rate cuts from Central Banks in the early months of this year. However, investors have been forced to revise those expectations as inflation bounced back in December. March may now be looking too soon for a first cut.

Business • 06 Jan 24

The annual inflation rate climbed to 3.2% in December from 2.5% in November, the CSO said in a flash estimate today

Inflation rate climbs to 3.2% in December - flash data

The annual rate of inflation rose in December to 3.2%, the latest "flash estimate" from the Central Statistics Office shows.

Business • 04 Jan 24

Money is there to be claimed, but the vast majority of taxpayers are missing out on the returns

Up to €1,800 in refunds available to taxpayers

Taxpayers could be leaving up to €1,800 on the table by not availing of a range of yearly tax refunds, a consumer tax specialist has warned.

Business • 03 Jan 24

All regions of the country recorded growth in average residential property prices in the last year, according to DNG's House Price Gauge

More house price growth likely after moderation in 2023

House price growth moderated last year but prices are likely to continue rising in 2024, according to the latest analysis by property advisors DNG.

Business • 03 Jan 24

The report noted that just 11,100 homes were listed for sale on the Daft.ie website on December 1st last

House price growth slowed in 2023 as supply dwindled

The rate of growth in prices being sought for properties listed on the market slowed in 2023, despite a significant drop in supply, according to the website, Daft.ie.

Business • 03 Jan 24

The Irish measure, at 48.9, was well above the flash December readings for the eurozone - 44.2 - and the UK - 46.4

Slight dip in manufacturing activity in December - AIB

There was a slight deterioration in business conditions in the manufacturing sector in December, the latest AIB Purchasing Managers Index showed.

Business • 02 Jan 24

The annual rate of increase in house prices continued to slow down and that trend persisted as the year progressed

House price growth slows, signs of recovery in Dublin

Property price growth continued to slow down in 2023 but, as the year ended, there were signs of stability in most of the country and a definite recovery taking hold in Dublin, where prices had been falling. Demand continues to far outweigh supply - a situation that looks set to continue.

Business • 27 Dec 23

The analysis is based on data compiled from over 800 million card transactions carried out by AIB customers

Surge in flight bookings in January - AIB spend report

January was the busiest month for flight bookings this year as consumers sought to escape the winter blues, an annual review of AIB's Spend Trend has revealed.

Business • 20 Dec 23