View this email in your browser Business Today Thursday, 20 August, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader Irish Continental Group, the listed ferries business currently subject to an approach from management to go private, increased its revenue by 16 per cent to just under €369 million in the first six months of this year but pretax profit fell by 2.9 per cent to €19.9 million, impacted by higher fuel and operational expenses and increased port costs. Ciaran Hancock reports. Investment holding companies owned by health tech entrepreneurs Jonathan Larbey and Mark Gilmartin reported profits of more than €20 million last year after big dividend payments, new accounts Killian Woods has seen show. Larbey and Gilmartin, who were EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalists two years ago, cofounded speech technology firm T-Pro in 2012. Sisk chief executive Paul Brown tells Ian Curran that MetroLink, the proposed 19km stretch of railway linking Swords to Charlemont in south Dublin, is a “key target” for his group as Sicon Ltd, the main company in the group, reports operating profits that surged more than 37 per cent to €67 million last year. Continue Reading Dominic Coyle   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Business JD Sports cuts profit outlook as US sales slump Business Founder of collapsed Chinese property giant given life sentence Economy Trump vow to control spending undone as US national debt hits a record $40 trillion Markets Oil advances as Trump takes aim at Iran’s economy Business Occupational health provider Medmark secures up to €70m investment Joanne Hunt A beneficiary in my cousin’s will doesn’t exist; who gets their share? MORE BUSINESS STORIES Work I tried out new foods at work. They helped my focus and creativity, and I felt better too Business US debt tops $40tn threshold after doubling up under Trump and Biden Business Global stocks inch into green as mining sector yields strong results Business Revenues up but profits down for ferry operator ICG in first half of year 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