Business

December saw the first decrease in the activity of Irish services companies due to the fragile economic conditions.

French consumer confidence remained stuck at a three-year low in December, the latest figures show.

Spain’s battered banks will need to set aside up to €50 billion in extra bad loan provisions.

Retail sales in Germany increased in 2011, driven by low unemployment and relatively buoyant growth.

China’s trade surplus narrowed 12.6% to around $160 billion in 2011, the commerce minister said today.

Oil prices were lower in Asian trade today after spiking close to eight-month highs overnight.

British sportswear retailer JJB Sports said trading improved in its second half.

The Data Protection Commissioner says the proposed use of information from utility bills for the collection of the household charge is disturbing.

Hungary’s currency fell to new lows and yields rose on government bonds yesterday as the country’s stand-off with the European Union and IMF intensified.

Workers were hit with a massive tax grab of €1,400 a head last year as the Government sought to shore up the public finances.