Figures from NCB Stockbrokers show that activity in the country's manufacturing sector improved slightly in June.
Its Purchasing Managers' Index recorded 50.7, edging up from the 50.3 posted in May, mainly due to increased new orders. Any figure above the 50 mark signals growth.
NCB chief economist Dermot O'Brien said that although there was only a marginal improvement in manufacturing activity in June, some of the more crucial elements of the PMI boded well for the future, with new orders up sharply and exports expanding for the first time since February.
Irish manufacturers raised prices charged again in June, generally in response to higher raw materials. However the seasonally adjusted output price index fell to 51.2 from 53.9, showing that charges only increased slightly.
At 56.5 the rate of input price inflation eased to its slowest level in 14 months, though average costs facing Irish manufacturers showed a sharp increase due to high raw material prices (especially metal) and more expensive oil related items. The corresponding rate in May was 58.7.
Employment levels fell marginally, though by less than in May.
