Consumer, business sentiment rise

Households were more upbeat about the economy while there was a mixed reaction from businesses across the country, according the latest Bank of Ireland economic pulse index.

The pulse, which measures consumer and business sentiment, was up in October from last month — however it was considerably lower than the same month last year.

Chief economist Loretta O’Sullivan said: “The uptick in the economic pulse this month looks to be less of a budget bounce than an unwinding of last month’s temporary setback on the consumer side.”