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The world's third-largest economy shrank an annualised 1.2% in the second quarter

Japan's Q2 GDP shrinks less than expected

Japan's economy shrank less than expected in the second quarter although capital expenditure fell more than originally forecast, revised data showed.

Business • 08 Sep 15

Declines in investment and employment growth hit the potential for growth in recent years

Global growth potential 'to lag for years' - IMF

The world's growth potential took a big hit after the 2007-2009 financial crisis and is likely to lag for years, the International Monetary Fund has said in a study.

Business • 07 Apr 15

The Chinese economy expanded 7.4% in 2014, the slowest pace in 24 years

China lowers growth target to 'approximately 7%'

China lowered its 2015 economic growth target to "approximately 7%" today, as authorities seek a more sustainable path for the world's second-largest economy after its decades-long boom.

Business • 05 Mar 15

Germany's economy saw stronger-than-expected growth in the last quarter of 2014

German central bank may upgrade growth forecast

The Bundesbank, Germany's central bank, has praised the robustness of the country's economy at the end of 2014 and says it may upgrade its growth forecast for this year.

Business • 16 Feb 15

Ireland is due to grow at a faster rate than the rest of the EU this year

Irish economy to grow by 3.5% this year: EU

The Irish economy will grow by 3.5% this year and 3.6% in 2016, the European Commission has forecast.

Business • 05 Feb 15

Instagram was launched in 2010 and by April 2012 it had reached over 100m active users

Photo-sharing app Instagram overtakes Twitter

Photo-sharing application Instagram has overtaken rival social network Twitter after announcing that it now has more than 300m users worldwide.

News • 10 Dec 14

British Chancellor George Osborne delivered his budget update to the country's parliament

NI could gain control of its corporation tax rate

Britain has said it would allow Northern Ireland to set its own corporation tax if the executive shows it can manage the financial implications of a reduced rate.

Business • 04 Dec 14

61 economists, academics and other forecasters surveyed by the ECB expect euro zone inflation of 1% next year and 1.4% in 2016

ECB warned euro zone inflation, growth to be lower

A group of professional forecasters cut their outlook for euro zone inflation and growth, underlining a trend that could prompt the European Central Bank to take more policy action to kick-start the economy.

Business • 13 Nov 14

Ryanair plans to focus on short, high-frequency flights in the likes of Britain, Poland, Italy and Germany

Ryanair to focus on core market for growth

Ryanair's bid to become one of the world's biggest airlines will focus on higher-frequency routes and more domestic flights in core European markets rather than venturing further afield, its chief commercial officer has said.

Business • 17 Oct 14

Switzerland cuts growth forecast for this year from 2% to 1.8%

Switzerland lowers growth forecasts for 2014

Switzerland has lowered its growth forecast for 2014 from 2% to 1.8%, the wealthy Alpine nation's statistics agency said today.

Business • 16 Oct 14

US growth in the second quarter was stronger than previously estimated

US Q2 growth estimate raised to 4.6%

The US economy grew at a robust annual rate of 4.6% in the second quarter, stronger than previously estimated.

Business • 26 Sep 14

Spain is forecasting growth of 1.3% for this year and 2% for 2015

Spain strengthens growth outlook for 2015

Spain raised its growth forecast today for this year and next and said unemployment would fall by two percentage points in 2015 as the economic recovery gathers pace.

Business • 26 Sep 14

US economic activity has picked up in recent months following a sluggish start to the year

US raises growth estimate following strong Q2

The US Commerce Department has raised its estimate for economic growth to 4.2%, confirming the solid rebound from the first quarter's steep contraction.

Business • 28 Aug 14

29% of SMEs reported growth between April and the end of June - Intertrade Ireland

Drop in number of SMEs showing growth

There was a drop in the number of small and medium sized firms experiencing growth in the second quarter, all island business group Intertrade Ireland has said.

Business • 18 Aug 14

PC sales are likely to have been boosted by Microsoft's decision to end support for its popular Windows XP operating system

Intel raises outlook on stronger demand for PCs

Chipmaker Intel has raised its outlook for the second quarter and the full year, citing stronger-than-expected demand for personal computers used by businesses.

Business • 13 Jun 14

The Chinese government has been working to enhance the role of consumption in its economy

China sees 7.4% growth in first quarter of 2014

China's economy grew at its slowest pace in 18 months at the start of 2014, but did a touch better than expected and showed some improvement in March, suggesting Beijing will not rush to follow up recent steps to support activity.

Business • 16 Apr 14

WTO forecasts are somewhat subdued by a slower-than-expected recovery in the EU

WTO raises forecast for global goods trade growth

The World Trade Organisation has raised its 2014 forecast for growth in global trade to 4.7%, saying it did not expect a return to the historical level of 5.3% until 2015.

Business • 14 Apr 14

The IMF urged countries to do more to boost growth, including through structural reforms

IMF urges nations to speed up recovery policies

The International Monetary Fund has urged nations around the world to move ahead more quickly on policies needed to secure a stronger recovery and avoid a prolonged global slump.

Business • 10 Apr 14

A slight acceleration in new order growth suggests activity growth could continue in April

Euro zone businesses sees strong growth in March

Euro zone business activity remains on the path of recovery, a key survey has shown, registering in March its strongest period of growth since the first semester of 2011.

Business • 24 Mar 14

The Spanish economy emerged from recession in the third quarter of 2013 when it posted growth of 0.1%

Spain Q1 growth 'at least' 0.2% - Minister

The Spanish government expects first quarter growth to "at least" match the 0.2% expansion posted in the final quarter of 2013.

Business • 18 Mar 14

Brussels increases its growth prediction for the euro zone to 1.2% in 2014 from an earlier 1.1%

Strong growth predicted for Ireland & Germany - EU

The European Commission is forecasting real GDP growth of 1.8% in Ireland this year, rising to 2.9% in 2015.

Business • 25 Feb 14

Euro zone economy grew 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2013

Euro zone growth boosted by Germany and France

Slightly stronger than expected growth in Germany and France pushed the euro zone's recovery up a gear in the fourth quarter and offered potential for a more robust 2014.

Business • 14 Feb 14

Italy's economy contracted by almost 2% during 2013 - but did grow slightly at the end of the year

Italian economy sees signs of gradual recovery

Italy's economy began a gradual recovery in the fourth quarter of 2013 with 0.1% growth - the first positive result after its longest post-war recession, official data from the Istat agency has shown.

Business • 14 Feb 14

The German economy grew at a faster than expected pace in the last three months of the year

German growth picks up at end of 2013

German economic growth unexpectedly accelerated to 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2013 thanks to a rise in exports and capital investment.

Business • 14 Feb 14

Growth at the end of the year was below expectations

French economy sees 0.3% growth in 2013

The French economy turned in slightly firmer growth than expected last year, expanding by 0.3%, but disappointed in the final quarter in a mixed message for the beleaguered government.

Business • 14 Feb 14

Growth

Japan's Q2 GDP shrinks less than expected

Global growth potential 'to lag for years' - IMF

China lowers growth target to 'approximately 7%'

German central bank may upgrade growth forecast

Irish economy to grow by 3.5% this year: EU

Photo-sharing app Instagram overtakes Twitter

NI could gain control of its corporation tax rate

ECB warned euro zone inflation, growth to be lower

Ryanair to focus on core market for growth

Switzerland lowers growth forecasts for 2014

US Q2 growth estimate raised to 4.6%

Spain strengthens growth outlook for 2015

US raises growth estimate following strong Q2

Drop in number of SMEs showing growth

Intel raises outlook on stronger demand for PCs

China sees 7.4% growth in first quarter of 2014

WTO raises forecast for global goods trade growth

IMF urges nations to speed up recovery policies

Euro zone businesses sees strong growth in March

Spain Q1 growth 'at least' 0.2% - Minister

Strong growth predicted for Ireland & Germany - EU

Euro zone growth boosted by Germany and France

Italian economy sees signs of gradual recovery

German growth picks up at end of 2013

French economy sees 0.3% growth in 2013