Reuters UK Business

DUBLIN (Reuters) -The Irish government announced plans on Tuesday to reduce minimum apartment sizes and requirements for open space and communal facilities in a bid to reverse last year’s 24% fall in apartment building. The centre-right coalition government says its top priority is handling a housing crisis, but homebuilding stalled last year at 30,000 units, …

Ireland cuts minimum apartment standards in bid to boost development Read More »

By Foo Yun Chee LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) -Booking Holdings on Tuesday criticised an EU antitrust veto over its 1.63-billion-euro ($1.9 billion) ETraveli deal almost two years ago, saying regulators failed to provide clear, compelling evidence to show anti-competitive harm. The U.S. online travel company said EU regulators ignored precedents and failed to conduct a sound analysis …

No compelling evidence for EU veto of ETraveli, Booking tells court Read More »

BERLIN (Reuters) -Structural reforms are a requirement for the German economy to grow again, German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said on Tuesday in the lower house of parliament. German business associations have criticised the new government’s surge in public spending which targets defence and infrastructure, saying it will not be enough to revive the economy …

Structural reforms are needed for German rebound, economy minister says Read More »

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Parliament on Tuesday gave its final sign-off on a deal to loosen the EU’s rules on filling gas storage, following concerns that earlier rules on this risked inflating energy prices. Parliament approved the deal its negotiators struck with EU countries last week, which will soften the EU’s target to fill storage …

EU Parliament approves deal on looser gas storage rules Read More »

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Rapid growth in Ireland’s gross domestic product (GDP) during the first three months of the year was revised down on Tuesday to 7.4% quarter-on-quarter from 9.7% previously. The growth was driven by a surge in pharmaceutical exports to the U.S. ahead of threatened tariffs, officials have said. With Ireland’s large multinational sector often …

Pharma-driven Irish GDP growth revised down to 7.4% q/q in Q1 Read More »

(Reuters) -Euronext said on Tuesday it was expanding clearing services for repo agreements in Spanish, Portuguese, and Irish government bonds as part of the pan-European market operator’s initiative to consolidate its position in that sector. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: Euronext, which already offers clearing for repo agreements in Italian government bonds, said its “Repo Foundation” initiative …

Euronext launches European repo clearing expansion Read More »

By Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Emma-Victoria Farr NEW YORK/FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Activist shareholders are poised to push harder for corporate changes in the coming months, finding fresh confidence to launch campaigns as the pace of dealmaking picks up again. Bankers, lawyers, and investors forecast a spike in fights over corporate leadership, operational improvements and spin-offs in the …

Analysis-Activist investors set to push for changes as dealmaking picks up Read More »

LONDON (Reuters) -European spirits makers rose on Tuesday on expectations that the sector could be subject to concessions in an eventual trade deal between the United States and the European Union. Three sources told Reuters on Monday that spirits, some medical equipment and aircraft and parts could receive concessions from a possible baseline tariff for …

European spirits makers rise on mooted tariff reprieve Read More »