Week ahead: All eyes on inflation in new CSO figures, while Howden Joinery Group to publish first-quarter results

The rate of inflation in ­Ireland fell below 2pc for the first time in three years in March, according to last month’s release.

The HICP was estimated to have risen by 1.7pc in the year to March 2024. Energy prices were estimated to have dropped by 3.1pc across the month and were down 8.4pc since March 2023.

This measure was down from an annualised rate of 2.3pc in Ireland in the year to February.

Irish companies must also sort out their warehoused tax debt by this Wednesday.

Businesses have until May 1 to either pay off the debt or make an arrangement with Revenue to pay it off over an agreed period of time, known as a phased payment agreement (PPA).

The CSO will also share a preliminary estimate of Irish GDP for the first three months of the year today, while an update on retail sales in Ireland last month will also be published.

Inbound tourism figures will be out tomorrow, while monthly unemployment numbers are set to be shared a day later.

It is set to be a quiet week for corporate results.

Smurfit Kappa will publish an update for the first three months of the year on Thursday.

The paper packaging giant reported earnings of €2.08bn last year, down 12pc from 2022.

Total revenue also fell by 12pc to €11.3bn in 2023, ­according to annual results published by the company ­earlier this year.

Howden Joinery Group, one of the biggest suppliers of kitchen units to the UK construction trade, is set to publish its first-quarter results ­tomorrow.

The London-listed business announced plans earlier this year to add five new depots in Ireland. This would bring the total number here to 15.

AIB’s survey of purchasing managers in the manufacturing sector will be published on Wednesday.

Both output and orders were down last month.