RTE Business

British pub group JD Wetherspoon has today reported a 5.6% rise in like-for-like sales in the third quarter, as higher household disposable income and favourable weather drove demand for its food and beverages.

Both Dublin and Cork airports saw an increase in passenger numbers in April, according to airport operator daa, on the back of a busy Easter period.

Obesity drugmaker Novo Nordisk has today downgraded its 2025 sales forecast, ending a four-year stretch of steady guidance increases since the launch of its Wegovy weight-loss drug, as US prescriptions ceased to grow.

Renewable energy company Ørsted has today reported a first-quarter operating profit above expectations but said the offshore wind industry remains challenged.

German premium carmaker BMW has today confirmed its 2025 outlook and said it expected some of US tariffs on car imports to decline from July, but warned the duties will have a "notable" second-quarter impact on its business.

Intel shareholders have approved a measure by the chipmaker aimed at topping up share reserves to attract and retain new employees, and compensation for its new CEO Lip-Bu Tan.

Senior US and Chinese officials will travel to Switzerland later this week to kickstart stalled trade talks following President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff rollout, according to statements from both countries.

The annual conference of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation will hear a call for nurses and midwives who attend work during extreme weather conditions to receive "timely and adequate" compensation.

The average cost of a motor insurance policy increased by 9% (€49) during the first half of last year, when compared with the first six months in 2023.

Plans lodged by Sport Ireland for a new National Cricket Centre, including a spectator bowl, will generate a €93m tourism dividend here over a five year period.

Continuing US tariffs of 10% would reduce Gross Domestic Product, a measure of economic growth which includes multinationals, by 1.5 percentage points next year, according to the Department of Finance.

The US trade deficit reached a new record in March, according to fresh government data published today, as imports surged ahead of President Donald Trump's "liberation day" tariff rollout.

Tax receipts for the first four months of the year are up 15.3% on the same time last year, the latest Exchequer Returns from the Department of Finance show.

British oil group BP, which has lagged rivals in recent years, saw a boost to its share price today on rumours of a possible mega takeover by rival Shell.

A recruiter at Salesforce who moved to the west of Ireland with his family under a remote work arrangement - only to be ordered back to an office 275km away after less than a year - is the first person to win compensation for a breach of legislation which came into force last year.

Boosted by the timing of Easter this year, take-home grocery sales in Ireland over the four weeks to April 20 increased by 8.4% compared to the same time last year.

The European Union is under no pressure to accept an unfair tariff deal with the US, its trade chief said today, adding that it was being contacted by other countries seeking to forge closer trade ties with the 27-nation bloc.

Air Canada, Canada's largest airline, relaunched its seasonal service between Dublin and Vancouver over the weekend.

Dutch healthcare technology company Philips has today cut its profit margin forecast for 2025, citing a net impact from tariffs of between €250-300m despite "substantial tariff mitigations".

The Minister for Justice has been asked to clarify laws around the sale of non-alcoholic beers to minors in pubs.