BUILDING DECLINE LEVELLING OFF? - The pace of job losses at construction firms hit a record level last month, according to the latest Purchasing Managers Index survey from Ulster Bank. The housing market was the weakest sector, commercial activity was slower, as was activity in civil engineering. The activity reading for March was one of the lowest the series has ever recorded.
Ulster Bank's chief economist Pat McArdle said there were some signs of a levelling off, which means the pace of decline is no longer accelerating but does not mean things are picking up.
He said a fall in costs may help to restore 'a little bit' of margin to remaining companies in the sector. But Mr McArdle said the survey found that people in the industry were still pessimistic about the outlook for the coming months.
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NEW WEBSITE AIMS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS - Small business could lead us out of this recession and generate the majority of new jobs in the economy. So say the founders of smallbusinesscan.com, a website set up to help Ireland's 250,000 small firms.
It's all about sharing knowledge, experience and contacts. It's online now and is a whinge-free zone.
Founder Greg Byrne said one of the pioneer companies on the website was run by Noel Marshall, who had developed a tool for wall-building, and was now preparing to enter the US market.
Mr Byrne said his team had put together a resource to help business people to grow over the four stages of evolution - start-up, establishment, rapid growth and 'next level'.
He said the site - which has been running for a couple of weeks - was open to all and was free.
Mr Byrne said recent research from the London Business School had shown that in the last three recessions and recoveries, small firms created most jobs in the recovery phase.
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CURRENCIES - On the currency markets, the euro is worth $1.3362 and 89.57p sterling.
