Service sector activity falls for sixth month causing slump in confidence

CONFIDENCE among service sector firms slumped to the lowest level ever last month as activity fell for the sixth month in a row.

The latest NCB Services PMI index showed the fall in activity last month is the longest uninterrupted fall in the eight-year history of the survey and came as a result of falling new business volumes.

Firms said they were fearful that weakness in the construction sector would spread into the wider economy and affect activity a year ahead.