Manufacturers expand job levels

Irish manufacturing firms expanded employment levels at the sharpest pace in four months during September.

The latest monthly manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) from Investec shows a moderation from 57.3 points in August to 55.7 for September. It remains significantly ahead of the neutral 50-point mark that indicates growth.

Production output across the sector remained strong, with new orders and export orders sub-indices remaining in positive territory for the 15th consecutive month. The trend for job increases continued for a 16th straight month.