Manufacturing output on the rise

Manufacturing output recorded its first growth since October, despite activity in the sector continuing to slide.

Production in Irishfactories increased marginally in February,after falling in the previous three months. New orders received by manufacturers increased during the month, ending a three-month sequence of reduction.

The report’s author Markit economist Andrew Harker said: “After falling in the previous three months, Irish manufacturing output increased marginally during February as a broadly similar proportion of respondents posted a rise in production.”

“New orders were stable in February, ending a three-month sequence of reduction,” he said.

The cost of raw materials continued to rise and was not helped by the weaker euro.