Penneys owner ABF said supplies could be hit should the reopening of Chinese factories be delayed because the retailer sources much of its clothing lines from Asia.

The Central Bank, the Parliamentary Budget Office, and the world’s largest ratings firms have all urged the next government to avoid pumping up spending that could lead to a new crash.

Business groups have urged the next government — in whatever form it takes — to translate only their “business-friendly” election promises into action.

Geoff Percival Discount clothing retailer Primark has reported a 4.5% year-on-year rise in sales for the 16 weeks up to January 4, driven by a strong performance in the eurozone, including Ireland.

Geoff Percival US investment giant BlackRock has built up a 4% stake in Irish drinks group, C&C.

A handful of Irish-related shares, including Tullow Oil, Glanbia and Bord Gáis owner Centria, were among the big stock market losers in Europe in the past year. Flutter Entertainment, which owns Paddy Power and Betfair, as well as Ryanair and Kerry Group were, however, among the big winners.

Building materials group CRH is reportedly closing in on a €1.7bn sale of its European Distribution business to private equity fund Blackstone.

Geoff Percival Shares in Europe’s main airlines fell sharply after the British government said it would consider an independent proposal to charge carriers a seat tax in order to cover the cost of transporting stranded passengers if an airline goes bust.

So that’s nearly Sunday evening wrapped up. Here’s some of the stories we published on irishexaminer.com today which we hope will help you make sense of it all this evening.

Ryanair shares jumped by more than 4% as the airline said it is seeing record levels of bookings and no negative impact on customer demand from Brexit uncertainty.

Shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher fell up to 5.8% yesterday, taking losses for the year to more than 30%, after it reported weak quarterly sales and said it would be pulling out of a number of European markets.

Paddy Power-Betfair’s expansion into the US sports betting market may add as much as €240m to its annual group earnings by 2023, according to Davy.

The experts predict that a defeat may be snatched from the jaws of victory, with logic lacking in the Brexit negotiations. From local concerns to the international outlook, Eamon Quinn, Geoff Percival, and Pádraig Hoare report on this week’s Brexit progress.

Ryanair has been named as a possible significant beneficiary — though an unlikely outright buyer — from an expected sale of British regional airline Flybe.

A surge in sterling as EU and UK negotiators reached a breakthrough in the Brexit talks could be shortlived, analysts have warned, as many political obstacles to closing the deal lie ahead.

Shares in builders merchanting and DIY group Grafton surged nearly 8% on the back of latest revenue figures showing the group is defying the drop in consumer confidence in its core market of the UK.

British exploration company Serica Energy has said it should be in a position to turn its attention to its dormant Irish acreage in the new year.

More than a third of oil and gas exploration companies active in Irish waters are finding it difficult to source partners to develop their licences here.

Brightening prospects of what looked like, even a week ago, an unlikely Brexit breakthrough will be the key focus of Irish exporters, foreign exchange traders, and the Dublin and London stock markets this week.

Sales of Tullamore Dew whiskey grew by 9% last year, with its owner claiming the gap is narrowing between it and Irish whiskey market leader Jameson.

Paddy Power-Betfair shares edged higher after the betting and gaming group marginally improved its full-year earnings guidance on the back of a good third quarter performance.

Shares in Cuisine de France owner Aryzta plunged by nearly 17% — wiping around €120m off the company’s value — after its AGM saw investors narrowly approve the food group’s funding plans and give only moderate backing to the company’s management.

The Government has affirmed its support for offshore oil and gas exploration.

Europa Oil and Gas has ruled out any prospect of drilling in Irish waters next year, but has said it is making significant progress towards drilling activity in 2020, including on its flagship gas project adjacent to the Corrib field off the west coast.

Kerry-based financial services and money transfer group Fexco is eyeing more acquisitions to boost its retail foreign exchange outlet business.

Ryanair shares failed to take off, yesterday, despite the airline making further progress towards ending employee union troubles across its European network, this time in Spain.

Shares in European beer manufacturers Heineken and Carlsberg are relatively flat despite both reporting solid sales growth.

Aryzta shares have fallen more than 4.4% as a row over the size of the Cuisine de France-owner’s planned capital raise next month deepened.

Shares in Ballygowan water owner Britvic dipped after the company’s chief financial officer announced his resignation.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe moved to shore up the short-term lettings incentive so home-owners using Airbnb and other tourism rental platforms do not benefit from the tax exemption granted under the existing rent-a-room relief.

Domino’s Pizza has reported a 3.3% like-for-like rise in sales for its Irish operations for the 13 weeks to the end of September, which represents the third quarter of the company’s financial year.

Paddy Power-Betfair shares rose by over 5% despite it being effectively fined £2.2m (€2.5m) by the UK’s gambling watchdog for failing to guard against money laundering activity.

Irish mining company Kenmare Resources has announced its intention to pay a maiden dividend to shareholders before the end of next year. The company, which owns the Moma titanium mine in Mozambique, said it plans an initial modest payout to shareholders in the second half of next year and that dividend value will be a minimum of 20% of post-tax profit.

Aer Lingus has named Cork native Sean Doyle as its next chief executive, after announcing that the incumbent, Stephen Kavanagh, intends to step down at the end of the year.

Glanbia has reached agreement to buy well-known weight control food brand SlimFast for $350m (€302m).

Housebuilding group Abbey has moved to ramp up its Irish-based development activity, with construction on a new project in Navan “progressing quickly” and further residential projects in Meath and Laois due to commence shortly.

Spain’s Bankinter has refused to give any indication over whether it intends to enter the Irish mortgage market, as has been speculated. The banking group has become the first overseas entrant to Ireland’s retail banking market since the economic crisis through its acquisition of Spanish counterpart EVO Banco, for an undisclosed sum.

Agri-services group Origin Enterprises has said that it is well-prepared for any short-term logistical disruption caused by a no-deal Brexit.

Geoff Percival Irish forecourt operator Applegreen has said it has “a good pipeline” of further development opportunities in both its service area sites and petrol filling stations

Irish consumer spending rose 2.2% in August, on a year-on-year basis, aided by low inflation and rising wages. While the annual rate of growth was unchanged from July and weaker than the 4.8% average seen since 2014, further spending increases are expected up to the end of the year.

CRH is looking to generate €7bn in cash, before asset disposals, over the next four years which it may use to fund acquisitions, increase dividends, or buy back more shares.

Shares in online accommodation booking company Hostelworld plummeted by as much as 11% on a near halving of first half profits and its warning of little or no growth in bookings for the year as a whole.

British DIY retailer Homebase has identified three Irish stores for potential closure as part of its cost- cutting plans.