A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Construction jobs continue to rise in May
Construction employment continued growing at a steady pace in May. New figures from the Central Statistics Office show job creation in the sector rising by 2.5 per cent a year in May, following 2.7 per cent in April and 2.3 per cent in March.
Recent growth rates are modestly lower than the growth rates recorded in 2004 and 2005 - 3.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent respectively, suggesting a gradual moderation of activity.
According to the CSO's most recent Quarterly National Household Survey, some 253,000 persons are now employed in the sector, and one in every eight Irish workers is now employed in construction.
More firms filing accounts on time
Companies are displaying greater compliance with rules for filing accounts, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) said yesterday.
The CRO said 84 per cent of companies had filed their annual returns on time in 2005, the fourth increase in a row. The organisation said the introduction of a stiffer enforcement system had helped compliance. Despite the rise in compliance, thousands of companies were still struck off.
BA sticks to aim of 10% profit margin
British Airways said it was keeping its goal for a 10 per cent margin by 2008 and that it hoped an inquiry into suspected cartel activity by Europe's third-largest airline would be wrapped up soon.
The company also said in a statement that it had struck an agreement with trade unions representing 1,800 Gatwick-based cabin crew on changes to work practices that would save it around £13 million (€19 million) a year.
BA said last month it was helping Britain's office of fair trading and the US department of justice with an investigation into alleged cartel activity over air fares and fuel charges.
Since then, two BA staff have been suspended, including commercial director and board member, Martin George.
American Airlines, United Airlines and Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic have said they were also involved in the probe but were not direct targets.
"The recent investigations have focused on long-haul passenger fuel surcharges and follow an earlier investigation into cargo surcharges," BA chairman Martin Broughton said in a statement, adding: "There is no suggestion of any breach of competition law in relation to short-haul passenger fuel surcharges."
Johnson & Johnson profits up 9%
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) yesterday posted a 9 per cent rise in quarterly profit on higher-than-expected sales of its consumer products and prescription medicines, but shares fell on lingering concern over long-term growth prospects.
The diversified healthcare company earned $2.82 billion (€2.26 billion), or 95 cents per share, in the second quarter. A year ago it earned $2.59 billion, or 86 cents per share.
Excluding special items, J&J earned 98 cents per share. Analysts, on average, expected 97 cents per share, according to estimates. - (Reuters)
Coca-Cola profits beat forecasts
Coca-Cola, the world's biggest soft-drink maker, yesterday posted stronger-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by growth in Brazil and China and strong sales of Dasani bottled water and PowerAde sports drink.
Atlanta-based Coke, whose shares rose 1.2 per cent, reported Q2 profit of $1.84 billion. - (Reuters)
