Company Watch | Business Post

Company watch: Bookings boost for Hostelworld but Ukraine war casts a shadow

With net revenue up 10 per cent, the online travel agent remains cautiously optimistic, though concerns remain over Ukraine effect on fuel prices

Company Watch: DCC’s US expansion continues after record $610m deal to acquire Almo

The eye-watering purchase of the US electronics company is just the latest example of DCC’s longstanding fondness for big-ticket acquisitions

Company Watch: Greencore takes stock after surprise departure of chief executive

Patrick Coveney’s generally successful tenure at Greencore, during which time it grew into Britain’s leading convenience food business, will be marred by the failed attempt to conquer the US

Material cost rises will cause small distillers to struggle, Pat Cooney says

Award-winning Boann Distillery has pushed for a wider definition of Irish pot still whiskey to allow for industry to become more innovative as market consolidates

Company Watch: Aer Lingus hopes for post-Covid take-off as US flights sell out

The airline has lost €270 million so far this year, but is optimistic that it can slowly return to normal now the US is opening up for travel

Company watch: Smurfit Kappa deftly dodges trap of surging wood pulp prices

The packaging giant has thrived, reporting a 10 per cent year-on-year increase in profits

Company watch: As profits double in one year, Cairn positions itself to become a ‘national housebuilder’

The construction company’s interim results reveal operating profit of €11.7 million in the first half of the year, while several large housing developments are on the way in Cork, Kilkenny and Galway

Company Watch: Crowley hopeful of healthy outlook for Dalata as restrictions ease

The hotel group took a battering during the pandemic, but its incoming chief executive is optimistic of better times ahead

CRH reports impressive results against against multiple rising costs

Ireland’s biggest company, which is also the biggest supplier of asphalt in the United States, recorded a 25 per cent jump in earnings to $2 billion and a dividend rise of 4.5 per cent to 23c per share

Company Watch: Flutter spends big to win big in the US

The bookmaker is spending $291 on average to attract each American customer, but the tactic looks likely to place it far ahead of all its competitors when the dust settles

Company Watch: Legacy Belfry funds cloud AIB’s half year results

Chief executive Colin Hunt said his bank was determined to make amends for any errors that had affected customers

Company Watch: PTSB’s Ulster Bank deal gives it one last chance to become a major player

The acquisition could bring the bank’s share of the mortgage market up to 23 per cent, while giving it greater access to the SME and broader business sectors

Company Watch: What didn’t kill Ryanair made it stronger

The low-cost airline has emerged from the pandemic fighting fit and ready to benefit from the woes of less fortunate rivals

Company watch: Bord na Móna chief sees the semi-state as ‘green unicorn’ with its €1.25 billion valuation

The storied enterprise has transformed itself into a climate solutions company rooted in renewable power with up to 15 new projects in pipeline

Company Watch: Odds are good for another round in Flutter’s fight with Fox

The dispute between the US betting behemoth and Rupert Murdoch’s corporation about the share price looks set to drag on

Company watch: Summer bounce a ‘positive surprise’ for Dalata hotel group

Chief executive designate Dermot Crowley says the group has benefited from better than expected trading and is comfortably placed for further expansion in Britain

Lorcan Allen: Time is running out for farmers to buy Kerry Group’s dairy arm

Talks between the farmer-controlled Kerry Co-op and the Kerry Group broke down in April. The group has restructured its dairy business and will probably try to sell it this year, but unless the Co-op can reorganise itself to return to negotiations, it may lose out

Company watch: Kerry Group lands tasty €819m deal to sell legacy arm of company

Kerry Group sells its consumer meats and ready meals business to US meat and food giant Pilgrim’s Pride

Company watch: PTSB could be on track to become storied third force of Irish banking

First-quarter results show new mortgage lending climbing 30 per cent as it hopes to buy a big bulk of Ulster Bank’s retail and SME business

Company Watch: AIB chief is confident about bank’s post-lockdown future

Colin Hunt says clear strategy will allow AIB to ‘generate sustainable shareholder returns and meet medium-term targets by 2023’