Surveys offer a glimmer of hope for economy

PRONOUNCEMENTS on the economy this week were mixed, but some offered a glimmer of hope and two that focused on the indigenous sector of industry were optimistic about the future.

ISME’s third quarterly business trend survey showed business confidence improving for the second consecutive quarter.

In a second survey, carried out by Irish software group Big Red Book among 300 firms, the outlook was also upbeat on the future.