A short look at what is happening in the world of finance this morning.
Machinists set to agree deal with Boeing
Boeing has reached a tentative agreement with the workers who build its jetliners, setting the stage for an end to a strike by the machinists' union, according to union sources.
The deal, which is subject to approval by approximately 18,000 union members, calmed investor fears of a protracted walkout that could have delayed deliveries of planes like the 737 and 777.
Details of the pact were not immediately available.
The strike had threatened to spoil what has been a boom year for Boeing, which is likely to overtake European rival European Airbus in jet orders in 2005 for the first time since 2001. Airbus retains a substantial lead in plane deliveries. - (Reuters)
S&P lowers rating on Ardagh Glass
International ratings agency Standard & Poor's has lowered its long-term credit ratings on Ardagh Glass Groupdue to an expected deterioration in the group's credit protection measures.
"Ardagh has been suffering from high cost inflation, especially from higher natural gas prices," S&P analyst Vanessa Brathwaite said. "The group remains vulnerable to volatile gas prices."
However, S&P said the outlook for the group's ratings was stable.
Skills shortage is 'a threat to business'
Baby boomer retirements, a widening skills gap and outdated human resource policies are combining to create a "perfect storm" that will threaten businesses over the long term, an Irish survey by Deloitte has concluded.
The study found that 66 per cent of human resource managers cited an inability to retain talent, while 34 per cent pointed to problems with inadequate skills in new workers as a threat to competitiveness. More than 70 per cent said they are experiencing, or expect to experience, a shortage of white-collar workers.
Chambers launch elderly work guide
The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) has launched a best practice handbook on employing older workers. The move comes in response to data that show the number of people aged over 65 in the Republic will increase by more than 70 per cent over the next 20 years.
Redbreast whiskey changes distributor
The distribution of Redbreast Irish whiskey for the Irish market will transfer to Irish Distillers from Edward Dillon by mutual agreement from October 1st.The Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers produces Redbreast and distributes it internationally.
Circle Oil receives Panama licence
Circle Oil, the Irish-based and Aim-listed exploration group, has been awarded a prospecting licence for Block A, Panama, making it one of the largest offshore acreage holders in the region. The licence block, in the southwestern Caribbean, off the northern coast of Panama, covers 30,000 square kilometres.
Irish Estates to list on IEX, Aim
Property management company Irish Estates will start trading on London's Aim and the IEX in Dublin from Friday.
The Dublin company, which was formed last December in a buyout and merger of Irish Estates and Vector worth more than €30 million, said it planned to list 23.6 million shares on the IEX, a market set up by the Irish Stock Exchange for smaller companies.
