Manufacturing

Manufacturers see slight dip in business conditions, but rise in export orders

Firms are focusing on reducing their inventories, according to the AIB Purchasing Managers Index

Export orders rose for the first time in four months

The latest AIB Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), which measures the health of the Irish manufacturing sector, recorded a slight deterioration in business conditions in December.

The headline index fell to 48.9 last month compared to the 50 break-even point seen in November, but was above the flash December readings for the eurozone of 44.2 and the UK of 46.4.

Any reading below 50 in the index signals a contraction, while any number above that level ...