DUBLIN, June 4 (Reuters) – Ireland’s manufacturing
sector steadied last month after contracting in April although
demand remained subdued, a survey showed on Tuesday.
The AIB S&P Global manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index
(PMI) for Ireland stood at 49.8 in May, up from April’s
nine-month low of 47.6, and close to the all-important 50 level
that marks growth in activity.
Respondents to the survey said economic conditions continued
to be sluggish, with demand from domestic and international
customers subdued.
Still, production volumes and incoming new work only fell
marginally, and there was a solid rise in staffing levels that
reflected increased confidence in market conditions for the
coming months.
David McNamara, AIB’s chief economist, said there was
anecdotal evidence that weaker demand from key trading partners,
including the UK, was behind the latest fall in activity.
(Reporting by Graham Fahy; Editing by Susan Fenton)
