View this email in your browser THE IRISH TIMES Business Today Tuesday, 05 May, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader Pepper Advantage Ireland, the loan services provider used by investment firms and banks, is looking to develop new lines of business to diversify as the post-crisis era of large non-performing portfolio sales fades. The firm, which entered the Irish market in 2012 and is best known for servicing mortgages secured by collateral, plans to launch a new business – called Harbour Credit – aimed at managing unsecured consumer credit for banks, utility firms and semistate agencies, according to chief executive Niall Sorohan. Joe Brennan has the details. Homes and businesses face rising food and electricity bills as energy prices increase on the back of the Middle East conflict, says the latest assessment of the Irish economy, writes Barry O’Halloran. Continue Reading Conn Ó Midheach   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Markets Shares falter, oil prices stay elevated as US-Iran hostilities ramp up Business Homes face higher food and energy bills Business Media regulator faces 33 appeals over broadcasting levy hike Business Pepper plans new revenue lines as era of large loan sales ebbs Business Responsible artificial intelligence practices still ‘in their infancy’ across Irish firms Aidan Scollard Irish EU presidency offers strong opportunity to re-energise relationship with UK MORE BUSINESS STORIES Business Oil prices rise with shares volatile as Middle East tensions persist Business Nearly one-third of public sector job candidates fail to show for interview or assessment Business Pretax profit more than doubles at DID Electrical Markets World stocks gain as oil prices climb amid new Gulf proposals Do you have questions about becoming an Irish Times subscriber, or about your subscription? You'll find handy guides in our FAQs, and you can manage many aspects of your subscription in the My Account section. Never miss a business story Subscribe now for just €1 for your first month SUBSCRIBE     Registration number 2514 Registered in Ireland as The Irish Times DAC Registered