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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell.</p>

columnists

David McNamara: Fed pivots from inflation to growth concerns

The key takeaway from the bumper interest rate cut last week is that the Fed has decisively shifted its focus away from its inflation mandate towards the labour market and GDP growth

<p>The Bank of England held interest rates at 5% on Thursday.</p>

economy

Bank of England holds interest rates steady after large Fed rate cut

David McNamara: British economy is stuck in stagnation

David McNamara: The ECB walks an interest rate tightrope between growth and inflation

Bank of Ireland rolls back on Aer Card rewards scheme due to 'error'

companies

Bank of Ireland rolls back on Aer Card rewards scheme due to 'error'

The concept of home ownership and Euro

economy

Interest rates hold steady ahead of ECB meeting

Markets eye second ECB rate cut on Thursday

economy

Markets eye second ECB rate cut on Thursday

GERMANY-EU-ECB-BANKING-INFLATION

David McNamara: There is a strong case for the ECB to move even faster on rate cuts

Despite market expectations for a 25bps rate cut this week, the decision from the ECB is likely to be a close call

Mon, 09 Sep, 2024

Eurozone economic growth slows ahead of ECB meeting

Eurozone economic growth slows ahead of ECB meeting

Bloc sees 0.2% growth, strengthening case for a further cut in interest rates

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Eurozone wage growth slows, boosting case for another ECB cut

Eurozone wage growth slows, boosting case for another ECB cut

The data begin a three-week countdown to the ECB’s September meeting, where officials are expected to lower the deposit rate for a second time, following June’s initial move

Thu, 22 Aug, 2024

Disappointing eurozone productivity complicates ECB’s interest rate challenge, data signals

Disappointing eurozone productivity complicates ECB’s interest rate challenge, data signals

While a more productive labour force is essential for economic growth, it is also a key plank in the ECB’s case for inflation returning to target

Thu, 15 Aug, 2024

Estate agent giving house keys to customer and sign agreement in office.

Banking customers hit sweet spot as rates for mortgages fall while they rise for deposits

While mortgage rates fall, deposit rates crept upwards to 2.75%, reaching a 15-year high but slightly below the eurozone average of 3.03%

Wed, 14 Aug, 2024

US Retail Sales Top Forecasts Showcasing Consumer Resilience

David McNamara: Markets may be pricing in a recession ahead of Fed meeting

An underappreciated driver of the recent slowdown in jobs growth has also been the pullback in hiring by the public sector in the US

Mon, 12 Aug, 2024

David McNamara: Markets expect a number of rate cuts for all three regions between now and year-end

David McNamara: Markets expect a number of rate cuts for all three regions between now and year-end

The path of inflation, particularly services inflation, will be key in determining the level of policy easing ahead in the eurozone, US and UK

Mon, 05 Aug, 2024

AIB chief 'expects profitability to ease' next year as rates fall

AIB chief 'expects profitability to ease' next year as rates fall

The lender forecasts net interest income, fuelled by monetary policy changes by the ECB, will reach about €4bn for the year

Fri, 02 Aug, 2024

Easing cost-of-living concerns sees increase in consumer confidence

Easing cost-of-living concerns sees increase in consumer confidence

Despite gains, confidence remains below the long-term average

Wed, 24 Jul, 2024

Lagarde says September interest rate decision is 'wide open'

Lagarde says September interest rate decision is 'wide open'

Ms Lagarde said the ECB would keep monetary policy 'sufficiently restrictive for as long as necessary'

Thu, 18 Jul, 2024

Supermarket spending

The pace of annual price inflation slows to 1.5% in June

Energy prices dropped 5.6% in the period and fell 1% in the month, however, European energy markets are once again feeling the heat as contracts edge higher

Mon, 01 Jul, 2024

Interest rate cuts and lower fuel prices push up consumer sentiment

Interest rate cuts and lower fuel prices push up consumer sentiment

Economist Austin Hughes said the mood of Irish consumers 'brightened markedly' during this month as falling energy costs, lower ECB rates and several encouraging economic indicators 'prompted a more favourable assessment of the outlook for household finances and the broader Irish economy'

Fri, 28 Jun, 2024

Estate agent Savills calls for Help-to-Buy threshold in Dublin to increase to €614,000

Estate agent Savills calls for Help-to-Buy threshold in Dublin to increase to €614,000

Company is also calling for an easing of rent pressure zones, measures which 'although aimed at protecting tenants, have inadvertently discouraged international investors, leading to a decline in the development of new rental units'

Wed, 26 Jun, 2024

General Election campaign 2024

David McNamara: Has the spring tide receded for the global economy?

Data points to slowing growth momentum across the key economies, including the eurozone and the UK, with the manufacturing sector, in particular, moving back into contraction territory in many regions

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde at ECB And Its Watchers Conference

ECB's Philip Lane warns strong inflationary pressures warrant holding back economic growth

Mr Lane said the ECB was not committing to any further policy easing after last Thursday's rate cut, and any follow-up decisions would be taken meeting by meeting

Tue, 11 Jun, 2024

ECB may wait out the summer before another rate cut, governing members suggest

ECB may wait out the summer before another rate cut, governing members suggest

Central Bank of Ireland governor Gabriel Makhlouf went as far as suggesting that the ECB might not carry on with further loosening policy at all

Mon, 10 Jun, 2024

ECB governors insist there is no clear path to future interest rate cuts

ECB governors insist there is no clear path to future interest rate cuts

Echoing the words of ECB president Christine Lagarde, Ireland's Gabriel Makhlouf warned of uncertainty about future rate cuts by saying ‘the road is bumpy’

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

Interest rate cut may not be passed on in full to Irish borrowers

Interest rate cut may not be passed on in full to Irish borrowers

A significant proportion of the 429,000 Irish households who hold fixed-rate mortgage loans will have to wait to discover whether they will tap the full benefits from the rate cut

Fri, 07 Jun, 2024

The European Central Bank skyscraper in the city of Frankfurt Main, Germany

European shares rise as eyes fall on ECB

It is expected ECB will ease borrowing costs by 25 basis points from the current record level of 4%

Wed, 05 Jun, 2024

The European Central Bank skyscraper in the city of Frankfurt Main, Germany

David McNamera: Sticky inflation won’t alter ECB’s rate cut decision

Uptick in services may embolden the hawks at the ECB to push for a more gradual decline in rates following the expected 25 basis point cut on Thursday

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

Michael Dowling: Sunnier days ahead for mortgage customers as ECB prepares to cut rates

Michael Dowling: Sunnier days ahead for mortgage customers as ECB prepares to cut rates

European Central Bank is set to reduce rates this week for the first time since its aggressive campaign of hikes began in July 2022

Sun, 02 Jun, 2024

ECB decision to cut interest rate may weaken the euro

ECB decision to cut interest rate may weaken the euro

With a quarter-point reduction all but certain, officials will finally embrace a widening in the difference between borrowing costs on either side of the Atlantic

Sun, 02 Jun, 2024

Mortgage approvals rebound in April, growing 14%

Mortgage approvals rebound in April, growing 14%

In total, 4,446 mortgages were approved in April, of which 63.6% were first-time buyers

Fri, 24 May, 2024

Germany Europe Economy

'Strong likelihood' of rate cut next month, says Lagarde

"I'm really confident that we have inflation under control,” European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde told RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan in an interview.

Tue, 21 May, 2024

Federal Reserve Powell

ECB will cut interest rates 'by more than the market expects'

European Central Bank and Bank of England won’t delay cutting rates despite the Fed's apparent reluctance, amid hotter inflation in the US

Mon, 20 May, 2024

unrecognizable motion blurred business people in an office

Major British office landlord writes down value of properties following interest rate hikes

Higher interest rates have weighed heavily on commercial real estate

Fri, 17 May, 2024

Construction - digger working at building site on sunny day

Large investment funds eye office and data centre projects now interest rates are about to turn

Most are focusing on lending to logistics, data centres, multi-family rentals and the high-end office market. The office sector more broadly continues to struggle, deterring funds

Tue, 14 May, 2024

Bank of England Monetary Policy Report

David McNamara: Bank of England on the cusp of rate cuts, amid brightening UK outlook

Governor Andrew Bailey noted there would likely be a need for rate cuts over the coming quarters and these could be to a greater degree than currently priced into market rates

Mon, 13 May, 2024

Homeowners survey

Mortgage rates close to hitting peak as they reach highest level since 2017

Since the start of the year there has been a frenzy of activity among lenders currently operating in the market to swell their loan books further

Thu, 09 May, 2024

Unpaid invoices, Financial Concept

Government does not expect a 'tsunami' of small business failures

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment official Fiona O’Dea said that while insolvency levels have ticked upwards, they remain below pre-pandemic figures

Wed, 08 May, 2024

Stocks Rally, Yields Sink on Powell's Reassurance

John Fahey: US Fed is guiding higher rates 'for as long as is appropriate'

While the US economy has continued to perform well over recent months, there have been signs of a loss of momentum in activity levels

Tue, 07 May, 2024

Jerome Powell

Fed holds rates steady, flagging 'lack of progress' on inflation

Fed chairman Jerome Powell said 'inflation is still too high' adding that 'further progress in bringing it down is not assured'

Wed, 01 May, 2024

Housing market

Central Bank says inadequate support for borrowers contributes to mortgage arrears

Banking watchdog says lenders contributed to the rise in short-term arrears by failing to provide adequate customer support

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

National Asset Management Agency

Finance Minister warned against election tax cuts as budget surplus heads to €8.6bn

Economists advise Michael McGrath not to inject more money into the economy by way of unnecessary tax cuts

Tue, 23 Apr, 2024

Germany Europe Economy

The ECB may cut interest rates twice this summer depending on wage growth

Meanwhile, global oil benchmark Brent drifted lower on Monday but remained above $90 a barrel after Israel withdrew more soldiers from Gaza and committed to fresh talks on a potential ceasefire in the six-month conflict in the Middle East

Mon, 08 Apr, 2024

Germany Europe Economy

ECB will cut in June and 'won't wait for the Fed to cut interest rates first'

ECB president Christine Lagarde may even state its intention to cut rates in June at its meeting next Thursday, economist says

Thu, 04 Apr, 2024

Gold Bullions in Thailand as Gold Set for Weekly Gain as US Inflation Cooler Than Forecast

Gold prices surge again on prospects for US rate cuts

Gold prices have raced to a record high yet again, after US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell reiterated that recent readings on job gains and higher-than-expected inflation do not materially change the overall picture of economic policy this year.

Wed, 03 Apr, 2024

Peter Brown: Inflation will persist and stock market investors should take note

Peter Brown: Inflation will persist and stock market investors should take note

Across the spectrum, I prefer alternative investments rather than the overvalued US stock market

Mon, 01 Apr, 2024

man use smartphone for searching house and home for rent and sale

Is the fixed rate on your mortgage expiring this year?

Thousands of these mortgage holders are in for a potentially nasty shock over the coming year as interests rates change

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

The European Central Bank skyscraper in the city of Frankfurt Main, Germany

ECB may be able to cut interest rates 'swiftly'

With inflation retreating, the point at which monetary settings can be loosened is nearing, even as workers receive pay increases, ECB official said

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

ESRI: Real wage growth expected as inflation continues to subside

ESRI: Real wage growth expected as inflation continues to subside

Inflation is expected to be 2.3% this year with nominal growth wages for Irish workers expected to run at about 4.5%

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Housing Stock

Number of homes available to buy at lowest in 17 years

In 207 months of data, there have only been four occasions when there have been fewer than 10,000 homes on the second-hand market, according to report author Ronan Lyons.

Tue, 26 Mar, 2024

Irish shares gain along with rest of Europe as rate cut expectations rise

Irish shares gain along with rest of Europe as rate cut expectations rise

Investors tweaked their views about the European Central Bank's policy path, pricing in a 90% chance of an ECB rate cut by June from less than an 80% chance earlier this week

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Federal Reserve Powell

David McNamara: All eyes on US Fed's new inflation forecasts on Wednesday

Markets are now pricing in just 70 basis points of rate cuts by the end of 2024, down from the almost nearly 100 basis points, or 1%, in cuts that were priced in only a couple of weeks ago

Tue, 19 Mar, 2024