2013-02-24 15:05:04 - Fast Market Research recommends "Ireland Business Forecast Report Q2 2013" from Business Monitor International, now available

Core Views

We forecast Irish real GDP growth to be 0.4% in 2013 and 1.4% in 2014, as suppressed European demand for Irish exports and an intensification of the government's fiscal austerity programme weighs on the country's prospects for a strong economic recovery.

With a commitment to reducing Ireland's fiscal budget deficit from 9.9% of GDP in 2011 to 3.0% in 2015, we expect the impacts of the government's fiscal austerity drive to intensify in 2013. However, the degree of fiscal consolidation will be insufficient to prevent Irish government debt reaching over 120% of GDP in 2015.

Fiscal austerity measures and bleak economic conditions will result in an uptick in political unrest in 2013, as Irish voters become increasing disillusioned with the Fin

Gael/Labour governing coalition. While we expect Ireland to remain on the consolidation path set out by the EU/IMF, we believe increased political conflicts will make the task increasingly challenging over the next few quarters.


Full Report Details at
- www.fastmr.com/prod/536362_ireland_business_forecast_report_q2_2 ..


Key Risk To Outlook

The government's ability to guarantee a successful bailout exit rests on the country getting EU help with its debt servicing costs. While we do expect a deal on easing bank debt to be agreed in 2013, a failure to do so could cast serious doubts on the government's ability to meet its fiscal obligations and would apply downside pressures to our 2013 and 2014 growth outlooks.

Report Table of Contents:

Executive Summary
Core Views
Key Risk To Outlook
Chapter 1: Political Outlook
SWOT Analysis
BMI Political Risk Ratings
Political Analysis
Threats To Fiscal Consolidation Continue To Mount
- The Irish government's sixth austerity budget revealed a further EUR3.5bn of new taxes and spending cuts on December 6, implying the impacts of the government's fiscal austerity drive will intensify in 2013. Ireland's strict austerity programme has won praise from the IMF - which approved the eighth review of the country's EUR85bn EU/IMF bailout plan in December - but also warned that deteriorating economic conditions are a threat to continued consolidation in the country. With the IMF advising Ireland to defer additional austerity budgets until 2015 if it misses its 2013 growth targets, we caution that the Irish government's attempts to meet fiscal targets will lead to increased political rifts and social unrest over the next few quarters.
TABLE: POLITICAL OVERVIEW
Chapter 2: Economic Outlook
SWOT Analysis
BMI Economic Risk Ratings
Economic Activity
Bleak Growth Outlook In 2013
- While we expect the Irish economy to return to growth in 2013, we caution that the country's economic growth story remains gloomy. With data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealing that real GDP contracted by 1.1% y-o-y in Q212, we reiterate our forecast of 0.4% real GDP growth in 2013, and 1.4% growth in 2014. We expect the country's GDP growth to be weighed down by the ongoing sovereign debt crisis in Europe, and by the sluggish performance of key export markets.
TABLE: GDP BY EXPENDITURE, REAL GROWTH %
Food & Drink
Chapter 3: Key Sectors
Food & Drink
Food
TABLE: FOOD CONSUMPTION INDICATORS - HISTORICAL DATA & FORECASTS, 2010-2017
Drink
TABLE: SOFT DRINKS VOLUME/VALUE SALES - HISTORICAL DATA & FORECASTS, 2010-2017
TABLE: MASS GROCERY RETAIL SALES BY FORMAT - HISTORICAL DATA & FORECASTS, 2010-2017
Other Key Sectors
TABLE: TELECOMS SECTOR KEY INDICATORS
Chapter 4: BMI Global Assumptions
Global Outlook
Growth May Be Turning The Corner
TABLE: GLOBAL ASSUMPTIONS
TABLE: DEVELOPED STATES, REAL GDP GROWTH FORECASTS
TABLE: BMI VERSUS BLOOMBERG CONSENSUS REAL GDP GROWTH FORECASTS (%)
TABLE: EMERGING MARKETS, REAL GDP GROWTH FORECASTS

About Business Monitor International

Business Monitor International (BMI) offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to help senior executives, analysts and researchers assess and better manage operating risks, and exploit business opportunities, across 175 markets. BMI offers three main areas of expertise: Country Risk BMI's country risk and macroeconomic forecast portfolio includes weekly financial market reports, monthly regional Monitors, and in-depth quarterly Business Forecast Reports. Industry Analysis BMI covers a total of 17 industry verticals through a portfolio of services, including in-depth quarterly Country Forecast Reports. View more research from Business Monitor International at www.fastmr.com/catalog/publishers.aspx?pubid=1010

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.