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Mortgage demand growing at slowest rate for 14 years
THE DEMAND for residential mortgages is now growing at its slowest annual rate for 14 years, according to statistics released yesterday by the Central Bank. The weakening demand for mortgages has been mirrored in a decline in housing sales. p
Eurozone inflation highest in 16 years
Eurozone inflation has soared to its highest level for almost 16 years, data published yesterday showed, creating a fresh dilemma for the European Central Bank (ECB) as it pumps extra overnight funds into money markets. p
O'Brien declines to respond to Independent's criticisms
BUSINESSMAN DENIS O'Brien was in Dublin yesterday for the official signing of Today FM's second 10-year radio licence with the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. p
Other Stories
Paulson outlines plan to reform US regulation
US TREASURY SECRETARY Hank Paulson conceded yesterday that it could take "many years" to overhaul the US system of financial regulation as he outlined details of an ambitious plan to rework a framework that has been in place since the Great Depression. pAccounts show Kentz profits grow by 37% to almost €22m
PROFITS AT recently floated engineering group Kentz grew by 37 per cent last year to almost €22 million, according to its first set of annual accounts as a quoted company. pDublin financial markets bookieto expand
WORLDSPREADS GROUP, the Dublin-based bookmaker that takes wagers on financial markets, is planning to expand into South Africa and Russia. pU2's 12-year concert package with Live Nation likely to be a record breaker
ANALYSIS: U2'S DEAL with concert promoter Live Nation comes as no surprise. Traditionally rock bands made money from two different revenue streams - sales of CDs and box-office receipts from live shows. pTreasury-backed REO's assets up 50% to €2.4bn
THE VALUE of properties owned by the Treasury Holdings-backed quoted vehicle, Real Estate Opportunities (REO), was close to £1.9 billion (€2.4 billion) at the end of last year. pFL Partners buys Tomsburg Group
VENTURE CAPITAL player FL Partners has bought the Cavan-based power tool manufacturer, Tomsburg Group, for an undisclosed sum. pGreen Isle and Thermo King in jobs boost
THERE WAS a jobs boost for Galway yesterday when two firms announced the creation of 89 positions. pInnovation award: Speech therapist honoured
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR Tara Cunningham was last night inducted into the Ashoka-SEI Fellowship at Dublin's City Hall. pBank of Ireland maintains earnings growth forecast
BANK OF Ireland maintained its forecast of earnings growth of around 3 to 5 per cent for the year to March 31st, 2008, in a short trading update released yesterday. pNorthern Ireland Energy Holdings set to buy Phoenix
NORTHERN IRELAND Energy Holdings (NIEH) is set to buy Phoenix Natural Gas in a €125 million deal. pIrish group in £375m deal for GCap Media
BRITAIN'S LARGEST commercial radio group, GCap Media, looks set to pass into the hands of a consortium backed by a number of wealthy Irish businessman, including JP McManus, John Magnier, Dermot Desmond and Denis Brosnan. pBusinessman Eddie Kerr dies suddenly aged 56
TRIBUTES WERE paid last night to businessman Eddie Kerr who died suddenly in Dublin yesterday. pPernod Ricard secures company that owns Absolut vodka for £5.6bn
PERNOD RICARD was catapulted up the market share rankings of drinks groups yesterday after winning the Swedish government's auction of Vin & Sprit, owner of Absolut vodka, with a bid of €5.62 billion. pInShort
A round-up of today's other business stories in brief. pIsland of hope in north Belfast signposts a brighter future
BELFAST BRIEFING: THERE WERE more than 9,000 new cars registered in Northern Ireland towards the end of last year. Chances are not many of those shiny, new cars are parked outside houses in north Belfast today. p
