View this email in your browser THE IRISH TIMES Business Today Wednesday, 04 March, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader Panic swept across trading desks in South Korea overnight as local stocks, by far the hottest in the world over the past year, extended their free-fall. Down more than 12 per cent at one point following a 7.2 per cent drop in the previous session, the high-flying Kospi Index was headed for its biggest single-day slide since 2008. You can catch up with the latest market reaction to the Middle East crisis here. Service sector growth slowed to a six-month low last month, driven by several factors including “rising cost pressures,” according to a report by AIB. The greater costs were linked to wages, pensions, energy and fuel prices. Eoin Burke Kennedy has the details. Continue Reading Colin Gleeson   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Business Panic sweeps Korean stocks in biggest one-day crash since 2008 Business HealthBeacon posts record revenue two years after exiting examinership Business Service sector growth slows amid ongoing cost pressures Business Greenman names new chief executive as fund sells assets to meet frozen redemptions Business SMEs see artificial intelligence potential but ‘fail to capitalise on new tech’ Jack White I felt I had no alternative but to resign following racist abuse from customers MORE BUSINESS STORIES Business Energy price jump ignites inflation fears as stocks drop Business Dalkey couple refused permission for house revamp to include private spa Business McDonald’s plans 25 new restaurants in Ireland over five years Business Euro zone inflation unexpectedly rises to 1.9% in February