Drop in output for manufacturing

FOR the first time since August 2003 Irish manufacturing suffered a decline in output last month, according to the latest NCB Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).

This is the first dip in output the manufacturing wing of the Irish economy has recorded in 52 months, and was also accompanied by modest job losses.

“Output and orders both softened and employment also dipped. Input prices grew at a somewhat slower pace and prices charged grew slowly,” said Eunan King, senior economist at NCB Stockbrokers.