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(Alliance News) – Ireland’s manufacturing activity expanded in November, with firms also expressing an optimistic outlook for the next year, S&P Global reported Monday.

The AIB Ireland manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose to 52.8 in November, up from 50.9 in October.

A reading above the 50.0 neutral mark indicates an overall increase in business activity from the previous month, while a reading below signals a contraction.

David McNamara, AIB chief economist, said: “The improvement in manufacturing conditions in November was driven by strong gains in current output and new orders…Output saw renewed growth in November, with respondents citing stronger demand conditions. This was also reflected in a first rise in export orders in four months.”

Despite this, S&P Global reported that hiring activity in Ireland’s manufacturing sector “broadly halted” during November with the increase in hiring activity at the weakest level seen over the past 12-month period of growth.

Furthermore, price increases were prevalent as producers faced greater cost pressures.

Looking ahead, business confidence in the sector strengthened to an 11-month high, with optimism stemming from an anticipated improvement in sales and new contacts over the coming year.

S&P Global compiles the PMI each month using survey responses from a panel of around 250 manufacturers.

By Elijah Dale, Alliance News senior reporter Asia-Pacific

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