Manufacturing growth, FBD’s reputational hit, and buying booze online

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk

A branch of FBD Insurance in Dublin. The insurer has taken a reputational hit with the SME sector by its reluctance to pay out on some business interruption cover for losses due to pandemic restrictions until ordered to do so by the courts. Photograph: iStock

Demand for Irish goods in the manufacturing sector increased at the fastest rate in four months in January, although output growth slowed to a 10-month low due to ongoing material and staff shortages, according to AIB's latest PMI data. Colin Gleeson has the details.

Irish start-up Wayflyer has become the sixth home-grown Irish tech unicorn after raising $150 million from investors. It is also the fastest to achieve the accolade after reaching a $1 billion-plus valuation in just 2.5 years. Charlie Taylor has more details.

Online bloodstock sales are likely to be a feature of the business post-Covid, racehorse auctioneer Tattersalls Ireland predicts as it reports a return to the black. Barry O'Halloran reports.

A new app aimed at encouraging girls aged 13-18 to pursue careers across science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is to be launched by EY Ireland following a successful pilot in the US and India. Colin Gleeson has the details.

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The financial hit for Irish insurer FBD from having to compensate various companies for losses caused by pandemic restrictions might not be as high as originally forecast but the reputational damage could prove to be more substantial, writes Cantillon.

Cork-based company Milestone Solutions is planning to expand into Europe, adding 80 roles here to support this growth, according to Ciara O'Brien, who also reports that Irish IT services company Version 1 plans to add 200 posts in Newcastle Upon Tyne as it establishes a base in the English region.

With the price of your favourite tipple having risen due to the introduction recently of minimum pricing, is it possible to buy cheap booze from abroad online? And what are the rules around buying alcohol abroad in person? Fiona Reddan answers these questions in our weekly personal finance feature.

In Q&A, a reader wonders about setting up bank accounts for their children with a view to gifting them €3,000 a year each, while also staying within Revenue rules. Dominic Coyle offers some guidance.

Groundhog Day is the best film ever made about working in media. So says Laura Slattery in her media and marketing column.

In Me & My Money, Declan Colfer, managing director of Wellington IT, explains why investing in good gear for running or hiking pays dividends.

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Ciarán Hancock

Ciarán Hancock

Ciarán Hancock is Business Editor of The Irish Times