RTE Business

Risks are high that the global economy will slip into recession this year, according to a majority of economists in a Reuters poll, in which several said US President Donald Trump's tariffs have damaged business sentiment.

The Government has confirmed that the start date for pension auto-enrolment is to be delayed from 30 September 2025 to 1 January 2026.

Preliminary figures for Gross Domestic Product, a measure of the economy which includes the contribution from multinationals, shows an increase of 3.2% in the first three months of this year compared to the last quarter of 2024.

Retail sales fell by 0.9% on a monthly basis in March and declined by 1.3% year-on-year, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show today.

Dublin-based Avolon, the world's second-biggest aircraft leasing company behind AerCap, has reported higher net income and lease revenues for the first quarter of 2025.

European Central Bank supervisor Sharon Donnery said today she saw scope for making banking regulation simpler, but warned against watering it down.

A bruising roller coaster ride for markets in the first 100 days of the Trump administration has seen some investors move away from American assets, but it remains to be seen whether policies have caused a sustained shift away from the United States.

New figures from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland show that the average home mortgage drawdown value reached €327,972 in the the first quarter of 2025 - the highest level on record.

Novartis has today released a more optimistic full-year earnings forecast, citing the strong growth of drugs such as Leqvio, Kisqali and Kesimpta during the first quarter.

Danish brewer Carlsberg has today reported a "solid" start to the year in China and said it had not seen significant changes in consumer habits across other markets but warned of volatile sentiment.

The boss of BP said the energy giant has "already made significant progress" with its oil and gas focused growth strategy as it pulls back from renewables to boost its finances.

Deutsche Bank has today posted a 39% rise in first-quarter profit after its global investment banking division generated a big increase in revenue in bond and currency trading during volatile markets.

Porsche's margins plunged in the first quarter, it said today, forcing the sportscar maker to cut its 2025 outlook in the wake of weakness in China, its main market, rising supply chain costs and US tariffs that are disrupting the global car industry.

German sportswear maker Adidas has today confirmed its 2025 guidance, but said it expected the planned higher tariffs on imports into the US to eventually raise the costs of all its products for the market.

Associated British Foods has kept its guidance for "low single digit" annual sales growth at its Primark clothing unit, which trades as Penneys here.

The Communications Workers' Union (CWU) has announced its decision to formally close its account with X, formerly Twitter, accusing the platform of being anti-worker, anti-union, and anti-democratic.

AstraZeneca said today it may face a fine of up to $8m over suspected unpaid import taxes in China as the drugmaker works to boost business in its second-biggest market after scandals including the arrest of its China president last year.

HSBC has launched a $3 billion share buyback after reporting a 25% fall in first-quarter profit, and warned of a possible hit to loan demand and credit quality in the face of US President Donald Trump's global trade war.

German airline Lufthansa has today confirmed its operating result forecast for 2025, but warned that it was closely monitoring the possible impact of trade tensions with the US.

A memo to establish a new Strategic Housing Activation Office will go to the Cabinet this morning.