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RTÉ News
06-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Businesses offering fully flexible working drops to 27% - Dublin Chamber's Business Outlook Survey
The number of firms offering full flexibility to staff on the number of days they spend in the office has fallen from 37% in the second quarter of last year to 27% a year later. While just over one third of firms (36%) require staff to present on a number of core days, a slight increase on previous years. The figures have been published today in the latest edition of Dublin Chamber's Business Outlook Survey. Speaking at the launch of the report, Director of Public and International Affairs Aebhric McGibney hybrid and remote working is still a major draw for attracting and retaining talent in a tight labour market. "The hybrid work model remains the predominant workplace arrangement for Dublin firms, with most employees required to spend two or three days in the office per week, with fully flexible arrangements having dropped to 27% in this quarter," said Mr McGibney. "This shows a trend that highlights, while businesses are willing to be flexible, a more structured approach is being settled on with core days being more important. This is down to a number of reasons such as fostering culture and collaboration and increasing productivity."
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin Faces Potential Slide to $71K Amid Impact of Trump Tariffs on U.S. Economy
Bitcoin (BTC) is under significant pressure following President Donald Trump's announcement of new trade tariffs, raising concerns among investors about a potential decline to $71,000. According to Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments, the crypto is experiencing "very high risk" conditions due to these tariffs. On April 2, Bitcoin's value dropped nearly 8.5% in response to the tariff announcement, contrasting sharply with the S&P 500, which managed a slight gain of 0.7% on the same day. Edwards highlighted that the uncertainty surrounding U.S. business expectations is reminiscent of previous economic downturns observed in 2000, 2008, and 2022. He noted that the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey has fallen below 15 for the first time since early 2024, a level indicative of severe market sentiment. In his latest market analysis, Edwards cautioned that if tariffs exceed current expectations, it could lead to heightened volatility in Bitcoin's price. While acknowledging that the survey data can sometimes provide misleading signals, he urged caution, particularly if the tariff situation escalates or corporate profit margins begin to decline. Capriole Investments has identified $91,000 as a critical resistance level for Bitcoin, suggesting that a daily close above this mark could signal a bullish trend. Conversely, if Bitcoin fails to hold above this threshold, a decline to the $71,000 range may trigger a substantial rebound. Market analysts are also monitoring trends in U.S. liquidity, as the Federal Reserve has started to ease tight financial policies. This shift could bode well for crypto, with predictions of an influx in the M2 money supply potentially supporting a price recovery in Bitcoin as early as May. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Posthaste: Don't count Bank of Canada rate cut in March out just yet
The Bank of Canada faces an especially tough decision when the Governing Council meets on March 12. Not only are U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats hanging over the economy, but recent data have suggested that the economy — and inflation — are picking up speed. After a stronger than expected consumer price index reading for January, Canada's unemployment rate dropped for the second month in a row when job growth tripled expectations. Three weeks ago markets had fully priced in a 25-basis-point cut for March 12, but since then the odds have shrunk to 25 per cent. Not all economists, however, agree with the market's assessment. 'Naturally, these developments leave forecasts for a 25 bp cut next month on shakier footing but there are still some compelling reasons to expect a cut,' said National Bank of Canada economist Taylor Schleich in a report entitled 'An increasingly contrarian take …' Schleich points to the Bank of Canada's last monetary policy report just three weeks ago, when it said that there were no signs that inflationary pressures were broad-based and even suggested that its preferred indicators were sending a false signal. The bank also indicated in that report that the jobs market remained soft and members would have to see jobs gains outpacing labour force growth for a longer period to be convinced it was on solid footing. Schleich has his doubts that January's 76,000 job gains will change the bank's mind, when other indicators are showing a different picture. Hiring intentions are still below historical averages, the job vacancy rate is at a seven-year low and the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours is signalling the opposite of what the Labour Force Survey suggests, he said. 'To be clear, we don't think recent inflation/jobs data strengthen the case to cut but we'd argue they aren't as much of a barrier as markets are implying,' said Schleich. Economic slack remains in Canada, and the geopolitical uncertainty now circling the globe could widen that gap, he said. Whether Trump's tariff threats become reality remains to be seen, but the threats themselves are already having an effect, and according to a Bloomberg survey, economists are trimming their growth forecasts because of it. They now see the economy growing by 1.6 per cent in 2025, down from a forecast of 1.8 per cent in last month's survey. The forecast for growth for 2026 is now 1.7 per cent, down from 1.9 per cent. The Bank of Canada's own Business Outlook Survey found some companies are holding back on investment because of the trade uncertainty, said Schleich, and a survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found that a fifth of firms were cancelling or delaying plans to expand. The uncertainty is also weighing on consumers, he said. Last week the Canadian Real Estate Association said a potential trade war with the U.S. was likely the reason home sales slumped in the last week of January. 'The timing of that change in demand leaves little doubt as to the cause — uncertainty around tariffs,' said CREA senior economist Shaun Cathcart. All of this builds a case for an 'insurance cut' from the Bank of Canada which would cushion the blow from tariff uncertainty or tariffs themselves, said Schleich. The day the Bank of Canada makes its decision Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum are due to go into effect and by then there should be some clarity on his border-related tariffs (25-per-cent on all goods from Canada and Mexico). Schleich said if more evidence emerges that economic growth and inflation are accelerating the central bank will have to change its tone, 'but for now, the BoC leans dovish, likely to err on the side of accommodation under uncertainty,' he said. 'We're not convinced recent data have completely upended that, especially since uncertainty may snuff out any nascent economic recovery.' to get Posthaste delivered straight to your Trump studies the United States' trade deficit with other nations, economists in Canada hope that this country will be revealed as a vital partner to the U.S. economy. National Bank of Canada points out that 66 per cent of Canadian exports to the U.S. are actually intermediate inputs in American production, with only 34 per cent of imported goods from Canada intended for final consumption, according to an analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. As today's chart shows that is far more the 45 per cent average for other U.S. trading partners. 'Rather than taking market share to win the favour of American consumers, Canadian companies are therefore partners to American companies that produce locally,' said economists Matthieu Arseneau and Stéfane Marion. 'There is a good chance that these firms are already making this point to the American president, who would benefit from recognizing the special nature of his country's relationship with Canada.' Bank of Canada deputy governor Toni Gravelle will speak at the Bank of England research conference in London on managing the central bank's balance sheet during quantitative tightening Canadian taxpayers can start filing 2024 returns online Earnings: CI Financial Corp., GFL Environmental Inc., Spin Master Corp., Domino's Pizza Inc. 'Northern Leg' to B.C. coast could be built off existing Trans Mountain pipeline, sources say Terence Corcoran: Not the 51st state, but maybe a 'North American Superstate'? Howard Levitt: Should Canada replicate Elon Musk's DOGE efforts in the U.S.? Young people in Canada are underusing tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs), even though more than half of the nation's adult population (17.8 million people) has one, according to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada — and it likely comes down to confusion. Tara Lalehparvar is co-chief executive officer of Vancouver-based Skyward Financial, a financial literacy and advisory practice geared toward generation Z and younger millennial investors, and she hears a lot of TFSA misinformation from clients, she said. Find out more about how TFSAs can contribute to a long-term savings strategy. Calling Canadian families with younger kids or teens: Whether it's budgeting, spending, investing, paying off debt, or just paying the bills, does your family have any financial resolutions for the coming year? Let us know at wealth@ Want to learn more about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister's Financial Post column can help navigate the complex sector, from the latest trends to financing opportunities you won't want to miss. Plus check his mortgage rate page for Canada's lowest national mortgage rates, updated daily. Visit the Financial Post's YouTube channel for interviews with Canada's leading experts in business, economics, housing, the energy sector and more. Today's Posthaste was written by Pamela Heaven, with additional reporting from Financial Post staff, The Canadian Press and Bloomberg. Have a story idea, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this newsletter? Email us at posthaste@ Weaker Canadian dollar fuels made-in-Canada backlash How many skipped vacations does it take for a down payment? Sign in to access your portfolio
