Economics
Manufacturing weakest for 15 months
Friday, 1 December 2006Figures released this morning show that activity in the manufacturing sector grew at its slowest pace since August 2005 last month.
The NCB Purchasing Managers' Index recorded 51.6 in November, down from 53.2 in October but just above the 50 mark which separates growth from contraction.
NCB economist Dermot O'Brien said a fall in export orders was likely to have been an important factor in the slowdown, though employment in the sector continued to expand. The employment index was 50.4.
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Companies reported increased prices for energy, plastics and raw materials last month, but the 59.1 figure for the costs index was the lowest for a year. Prices charged by firms also rose, with this index recording 54.1.
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