Ireland’s position as the eurozone’s fastest-growing economy was underlined yesterday by data showing the country’s manufacturing sector outshone most of its counterparts last month to reach an eight-month high.

Investors sought out the safe haven of gold as stock markets dipped and tourism shares dropped in the aftermath of the attacks on Brussels.

The signs of economic recovery are evident in the latest snapshot showing increased discretionary spending on leisure, holidays and even Valentine’s gifts.

Irish manufacturing continued to grow last month, but the pace of expansion was the slowest for two years — raising fears about the the outlook for expansion.

Business activity in the eurozone picked up at its fastest pace since mid-2011 this month, and far quicker than expected, as slowing growth in France following the November 13 attacks was offset by a buoyant Germany.

Irish consumer spending continues to rise steadily with shoppers splashing out most on shoes and clothes last month.

Irish consumer confidence is growing again as people are starting to spend more money on nights out and shopping.

Eurozone businesses started the second quarter with healthy growth as a buoyant order book again encouraged them to hire more, a survey showed.

Eurozone manufacturing growth eased in April but factories raised prices for the first time in eight months, according to a survey that also showed headcount rose at the fastest pace in nearly four years.

Eurozone businesses ramped up activity this month as the European Central Bank started printing money to spur economic growth, while a slowdown among Chinese factories fuelled expectations of more monetary stimulus.

Price cutting and a weaker currency helped eurozone business activity accelerate in February, according to surveys published just before the European Central Bank embarks on a trillion-euro stimulus programme.

The eurozone private sector has expanded at the fastest pace in seven months this month led by rising new orders, surveys showed yesterday.

Eurozone companies stepped up hiring as manufacturing and services activity from Germany to Spain expanded faster than economists estimated.

A gauge of euro-area services and manufacturing signaled economic growth slowed in the final quarter of 2014, supporting calls for more stimulus by the European Central Bank.

Manufacturing growth across Asia, Europe and the Americas eased in November as heavy price cutting failed to revive demand, surveys showed yesterday, providing more evidence that a feeble global economic recovery may be grinding to a halt.

The eurozone economy risks a renewed slowdown. A Purchasing Managers Index for factories and services activity unexpectedly fell to 51.4 in November, the lowest in 16 months, from 52.1 in October, London-based Markit Economics said. A reading above 50 indicates expansion.

More signs that eurozone woes and the strong pound are hurting British firms have emerged after official figures showed a faster downturn in exports.

Short sellers are making their first bets on a retreat in Alibaba Group a week after the company priced the world’s biggest-ever initial public offering.

Manufacturing in the euro area slowed more than initially estimated in May amid weakness in France, adding to evidence of the region’s uneven recovery as the European Central Bank weighs more stimulus to shore up growth and inflation.

GLOBAL manufacturing ended 2013 on a strong note, as major exporters like the US, Japan, and Germany all saw demand pick up, although China’s performance remained modest, surveys showed yesterday.

Eurozone services output expanded more than initially estimated in September, as the 17-nation currency bloc’s economic recovery gained momentum.

Britain's dominant services sector grew at its fastest pace for 16 years in the third quarter of the year, fuelling hopes that the overall economy will have performed better than already-buoyant expectations.

Eurozone services growth accelerated to the fastest in more than two years in September as demand and confidence improved.

Pressure is mounting on Bank of England governor Mark Carney ahead of tomorrow’s interest rates meeting as gathering signs of economic cheer cast doubt over his forward guidance strategy.

The UK economy is recovering faster than thought after official figures showed surging exports helped drive growth 0.7% higher between April and June.

Eurozone manufacturing unexpectedly expanded in July for the first time in two years, led by Germany, adding to signs the bloc’s economy is emerging from a record-long recession.

The private sector economy in Northern Ireland is starting to show signs that the worst of the downturn is over, new figures have indicated.

The private sector economy in Northern Ireland is starting to show signs that the worst of the downturn is over, new figures indicate.

Hopes that the UK can maintain its AAA credit are fading, economists said today.

Unemployment in the 17 countries that use the euro hit its highest level since the currency was introduced back in 1999 official figures showed yesterday, adding to fears that the region is back in recession.

Unemployment in the 17 countries using the euro has hit its highest since the currency was introduced in 1999, adding to fears the region is back in recession.

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

Fears that the eurozone will slide back into recession intensified today as data revealed the fastest contraction in the manufacturing and services sectors for two years.

Mounting evidence that the world economy is slowing sharply sent global stock markets spiralling down today.

EUROPEAN services and manufacturing growth held steady in August at the slowest pace in almost two years, adding to signs the euro-region recovery is losing momentum as the sovereign debt crisis persists.

The City today priced in an interest rate rise in May with potentially two more hikes to come later in the year.

Growth in the UK services sector slowed today as businesses warned of a worrying lack of consumer demand before the key Christmas trading period.

Worries over the fragile recovery among UK manufacturers intensified today after growth slowed to a nine-month low in August.

THE services sector inched closer to a return to growth for the first time in over two years in March, but declining new orders held companies back, according to a survey.

IRELAND’S manufacturing sector contracted at the slowest pace in June since September, with fragile domestic demand somewhat offset by the slower decline of new export business, a survey showed yesterday.