A Cork research centre working on developing a test to predict which mums-to-be are predisposed to giving birth prematurely has attracted investment from a major American multinational.

DESPITE a 97% profit plunge at Waterford Wedgwood’s peer Gucci Group, stockbrokers Dolmen Butler Briscoe have placed a buy recommendation on the Irish luxury-goods maker.

FERRY operator Irish Continental Group should be able to generate free cash flow of close to €40m a year in the short term, results published by the company yesterday indicate.