Economy

Sentiment in services sector hits three-month low as activity cools

AIB index shows wide-ranging services sector still in growth mode but some signs activity is slowing

The level of sentiment in the sector fell notably between February and March. Picture: Getty

Sentiment in Ireland’s services sector fell to a three-month low in March, even as the number of people employed rose for a 25th consecutive month, according to the latest AIB purchasing managers’ index survey.

The wide-ranging services sector, which encompasses everything from transport to leisure, is an important barometer of the country’s economic performance.

The headline index reading in AIB’s survey, which measures business activity, was 55.8, down slightly from February’s nine-month high of 58.2. ...