Goodbody Stockbrokers Strengthens Investment Banking with New Hires
Goodbody Stockbrokers has made several senior hires to boost its investment banking business, including Stephen Kane, Daniel Goodman, and Andrew Hackney. The appointments are seen as a vote of confidence from AIB, the firm's parent, in the investment banking side of the business, after years of weakness. Goodbody had racked up over €22 million of losses in 2022 and 2023 due to a downturn in capital markets activity in Ireland. Goodbody Stockbrokers, a 151-year-old brokerage firm, has recently made several strategic hires to bolster its investment banking team. These appointments are expected to drive growth and profitability in the investment banking division.References:[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/07/28/goodbody-stockbrokers-boosts-investment-banking-with-senior-hires/[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-25/bankers-prep-up-to-2-billion-debt-for-dsm-animal-nutrition-unit[3] https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/07/26/3-brilliant-growth-stocks-to-buy-right-now/
Source:The Irish Times
July 28, 2025 08:03 UTC
EU agrees to 15% tariffs in US deal after months of fractious talks
The EU hopes the deal will draw a line under months of uncertainty, shifting deadlines and threats from Mr Trump, which have defined the fractious trade negotiations. The cap would also cover two sectors Mr Trump has promised to introduce tariffs on at a later date, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick travelled from Washington to Scotland on Saturday, with EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic flying in from Brussels. That agreement saw Japan accept 15 per cent tariffs on its products sold to the US. However, if the US pushes ahead with its threatened 30 per cent tariffs on EU goods, the EU is ready with counter-tariffs on €93 billion worth of US exports, he said.
Source:The Irish Times
July 27, 2025 19:16 UTC
Amazon scraps Dublin plant and hundreds of jobs over failure to secure power supply
Tech giant Amazon has scrapped plans to build a big industrial plant in Dublin because it could not secure an electricity supply for the €300 million project, The Irish Times has learned. Photograph: AJ Mast/New York TimesBut failure to provide Amazon with electricity surprised people familiar with the plan because prospective power demand from the proposed plant, which was not a data centre, was considered relatively modest. The AWS plan had Government support, while Fingal County Council planning permission for the 23,600sq m site – with 562 car-parking spaces – was in place since 2022. If conditions allow, we do hope to be able to make other high-tech investments elsewhere in Ireland,” said Amazon. The proposed AWS plant was seen in Government circles as a serious investment project, not least because Amazon has invested some €22 billion in Ireland since 2004.
Source:The Irish Times
July 25, 2025 18:31 UTC
How Much Money Is ‘Enough’? Teaching Financial Awareness in the Classroom
Yet many students in Ireland reach secondary school without foundational financial skills. Teaching money in the classroom supports life readiness and builds confidence, particularly when combined with age-appropriate, hands-on learning. A “mini-market” activity—where students create and sell crafts using classroom currency—is another fun way to link entrepreneurship with money management. Secondary: Life skills and financial wellbeingSecondary students benefit from structured learning on budgeting, savings, and long-term planning. Why it works across all levelsTeaching about “enough” allows students to think critically about needs versus wants, financial values, and future planning.
Source:The Irish Times
July 25, 2025 13:48 UTC
New Garda Commissioner Set to be Announced: Former Senior PSNI Officer in the Running
The new Garda commissioner is set to be announced early next week, following a recruitment competition. Deputy Commissioners Justin Kelly and Shawna Coxon are believed to have applied for the position. The new Garda commissioner is set to be confirmed and announced early next week, following a recruitment competition. Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly has applied for the position, while sources said Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon has also done so. Although the successful candidate has not been notified yet, sources say Deputy Commissioner Kelly is widely regarded as the favourite [2].References:[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2025/07/24/new-garda-commissioner-set-to-be-announced-within-days-to-succeed-drew-harris/[2] https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/new-garda-commissioner-succeed-drew-35613924
Source:The Irish Times
July 24, 2025 23:45 UTC
Fermanagh shooting: Mother and two children dead, man in hospital
The scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge following the shooting. Photograph: Oliver McVeigh/PAThe victims of a shooting in Co Fermanagh are understood to be a mother and her two children. A fourth individual, an adult male, is in a serious condition in hospital in Belfast. The woman and one child were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other child died later in hospital. The police chief said the incident “just happened prior to police attending so ... it [was] a very harrowing scene for all involved”.
Source:The Irish Times
July 24, 2025 19:42 UTC
U.S. and EU Near 15% Tariff Deal to Avert Trade War Before August Deadline
The U.S. and European Union are nearing a trade agreement that would establish a 15% baseline tariff on EU goods imported into the United States, according to multiple diplomatic sources. The deal, if finalized, would stabilize existing tariffs and mitigate the risk of a full-scale trade war, particularly after years of escalating tensions under previous administrations. The agreement has advanced to a critical phase, with EU diplomats confirming that negotiators have narrowed the scope to a framework centered on the 15% tariff, alongside limited exemptions. The 15% tariff would impact billions of euros in annual EU exports, including automotive parts and consumer electronics. The 15% tariff, while significant, offers a structured path to stabilize trade relations ahead of potential disruptions from U.S. elections or shifts in EU policy priorities.
Source:The Irish Times
July 24, 2025 14:21 UTC
Elon Musk speaks at Tesla earnings call
Elon Musk speaks at Tesla earnings callTesla is set to report its Q2 financial results on Wednesday, July 23, following a year of challenging news for the electric vehicle (EV) giant. Earnings per share (EPS) are expected to be 42 cents, down from 52 cents in Q2 2024. Elon Musk's return to full-time focus on Tesla, following his departure from the White House, will be a significant talking point. Musk has been "sleeping in the office" to reassure shareholders that his companies have his full attention [3].Analysts are mixed in their expectations for the earnings call. Despite the challenges faced, Tesla's stock performance suggests that investors are cautiously optimistic about the company's prospects.References:[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2025/07/22/tesla-is-set-to-report-earnings-who-cares/[2] https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/07/46560027/tesla-q2-earnings-preview-will-robotaxis-ai-wartime-ceo-elon-musk-deliver[3] https://nypost.com/2025/07/21/business/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-back-to-sleeping-in-the-office-ahead-of-earnings-this-week/
Source:The Irish Times
July 23, 2025 21:36 UTC
Irish M&A Activity Sets New Record, Contrasting European Trend
Irish merger and acquisition (M&A) activity rose 4% in the first half of 2025 compared to last year, bucking European and global trends. The total value of transactions, however, fell by over half due to a slowdown in large-cap and transformational deals worth more than €500 million. Irish merger and acquisition (M&A) activity continued to defy European and global trends in the first half of 2025, with a 4% increase in the number of deals compared to the same period last year. The total value of transactions announced in the Republic this year was €8.8 billion, down 51% from the first half of 2024. At the macroeconomic level, the slower pace of global economic growth forecast by the International Monetary Fund is also a headwind for Irish M&A activity.
Source:The Irish Times
July 21, 2025 13:06 UTC
Dublin’s new tallest building: This tower of darkness should never have been allowed
There was no provision for it either in the Dublin city development plan 2016-2022 or in the 2009 George’s Quay local area plan. Tower of darkness: plans for the redesigned, blue-black residential tower at College Square. The new Longstone House/College Square building development over the Dublin skyline. Photograph: Chris MaddaloniThe new Longstone House/College Square building development over the Dublin skyline seen from College Green. Photograph: Chris MaddaloniThe new Longstone House/College Square building development over the Dublin skyline seen from inside Trinity.
Source:The Irish Times
July 21, 2025 02:51 UTC
Presidential Candidates Emerge, But Infrastructure Deficit and Constitutional Future Remain Key Issues
The Irish presidential election is underway, with Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness and Galway TD Catherine Connolly emerging as candidates. The election campaign has been criticized for being expensive and brutal, deterring some potential candidates from running. The Irish presidential election, scheduled to take place by November 11, 2025, is shaping up to be a closely contested race. Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness and Galway TD Catherine Connolly have emerged as the leading candidates, with other major parties still undecided on their nominees. With McGuinness and Connolly leading the race, the election is expected to be closely contested, with several undecided voters.
Source:The Irish Times
July 20, 2025 09:13 UTC