Markets news on stocks, currencies and commodities.

Principal news stories from the Irish Independent, Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Financial Times and New York Times.

C&C Group plc, a manufacturer of cider for the UK and Irish markets, said in a trading statement today that revenue, for the six months to 31 August 2008, is expected to be down by 8% compared with the same period in 2007. The group said that the current difficult market conditions to continue throughout the second half of the year, which, notwithstanding the benefit of the roll out of draught Magners in Great Britain, will result in continued pressure on revenue and operating profit. 

Grafton Group plc, the builders merchants and DIY Group with operations in the UK and Ireland, announced profit before tax fell 50 per cent to €53.4 million in the first half of 2008.

Datalex, the Irish travel software group, today reported a pre-tax loss of $800,000 for the first half 2008, down slightly from the loss in the same period in 2007.

Irish Continental, the shipping group, today reported an improved performance in the first half of 2008, despite a sharp rise in fuel costs.

IFG, the financial services group, today reported flat pre-tax profits of €9.9m for the first half of 2008, despite a slight decline in revenue to €58m.

Qualceram Shires, the Irish bathroom products maker, today reported has a pre-tax loss of €3.4m in the first half of 2008, compared with a profits of €2.1m a year, resulting from the impact of the housing contractions in the UK and Ireland.

Dell on Thursday reported a 17% drop in quarterly profit after cutting prices to build market share in Asia. The PC maker’s shares dropped 10% in after-hours trading.

The gap in health between rich and poor in Ireland, the UK and around the world is “unfair, unjust and avoidable”, a WHO - - World Health Organisation - - report said Thursday, focusing on government’s poor record on inequality.