4th Nov 2026 02:10
(Alliance News) - Ireland's private sector activity slowed in October, but expansion remained "solid", S&P Globalo reported on Wednesday.
The AIB Ireland composite composite purchasing managers' index fell to 54.5 points in October from 55.6 points in September.
S&P Global said this was a "solid expansion" well above the long-run average.
A reading above the 50.0-point neutral mark indicates an overall increase in month-on-month business activity, while a reading below signals a contraction.
The services PMI rose to 54.3 in October from 54.1 points in September.
Expansion was below the long-runs series average, S&P Global said.
David McNAmara, AIB chief economist, said: "Activity levels were boosted by rising new business, alongside gains in employment. The rate of growth in the Irish services sector was ahead of the flash Eurozone and UK PMIs at 51.7 and 53.1, respectively; but below the US PMI at 57.9.
"New business continued to grow solidly in October, albeit activity was mixed across the sub-sectors. New export business growth eased on the month, with little change in volumes due to a softening in international demand. Amid this demand backdrop, employment expanded at a similar pace to that observed in September. That said, the rate of growth was modest compared to historic trends."
McNamara said businesses sentiment dipped in October, reaching a six-month low.
On Monday, S&P Global said the Ireland manufacturing purchasing managers' index edged down to 55.2 points in October from 55.5 points in September.
S&P Global compiles the PMI figures each month using survey responses from a panel of 400 service sector companies and around 250 manufacturers.
The composite figure is a weighted average of the services PMI and manufacturing output index.
By Harvey Dorset, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to [email protected]
Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.