News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

The preliminary Caixin/Markit China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 47 in September

China's factory sector sees big slowdown

Flagging demand dragged China's giant factory sector into its sharpest contraction in over six years in September, a private survey showed today.

Business • 23 Sep 15

The data signals the weakest expansion in private sector output in the current four-month sequence of growth

Rate of business growth in NI declines - PMI

The rate of growth in business output across Northern Ireland declined in August, according to the latest Ulster Bank PMI.

Business • 14 Sep 15

There are growing concerns that a Chinese slowdown could create problems across the global economy

Chinese factory activity shrank in August: PMI

Worries of a deepening China economic slowdown have intensified after a private survey showed the factory sector shrank at its fastest rate in almost 6-1/2-years in August, hammering global stocks and commodity prices.

Business • 21 Aug 15

Weakness in the euro has helped to boost exports to Britain and the United States

Manufacturing sector grew again in July

Growth in the Irish manufacturing sector continued in July with business conditions strengthening and production picking up.

Business • 04 Aug 15

Markit/CIPS UK Services Purchasing Managers' Index rose by two points in June to 58.5

UK services PMI jumps in June

Britain's private-sector services grew more than expected last month, suggesting the economic recovery picked up going into the second half of the year, a survey showed today.

Business • 03 Jul 15

The final composite PMI for June, which combines manufacturing and services activity, came in at 54.2

Euro zone businesses shrug off Greek fears

Euro zone business activity expanded at its fastest pace in four years last month as the ECB's stimulus package more than offset fears Greece could crash out of the currency union, surveys showed.

Business • 03 Jul 15

The US auto industry has continued to enjoy a purple patch on strong consumer spending

US manufacturing picked up pace in June

The US manufacturing sector picked up pace in June but growth remained modest, the Institute for Supply Management has reported.

Business • 01 Jul 15

Markit's Composite Flash Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 54.1 in June from 53.6 in May

Euro zone business growth speeds up to 4 year high

Euro zone private businesses expanded at their fastest pace in four years this month, providing the clearest signs yet of a solid recovery in the region.

Business • 23 Jun 15

The Ulster Bank Purchasing Managers' Index showed a reading of 63.3 in May from April's 57.2

Construction sector in fastest growth in 6 months

Activity in the construction sector expanded at the fastest pace in six months during May, the latest Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers' Index shows.

Business • 08 Jun 15

The Investec Purchasing Managers' Index of activity in services stood at 61.4 in May, up from 60.6 in April

Services sector growth hits 3 month high in May

The country's services sector expanded at the fastest pace in three months in May, with new orders helped by a fall in the euro against the dollar and sterling.

Business • 04 Jun 15

Markit's final composite Purchasing Managers' Index, seen as a good guide to growth, stood at 53.6 in May

Euro zone business growth loses some steam in May

Euro zone business growth lost a little momentum last month despite companies cutting prices again, a survey showed today.

Business • 03 Jun 15

Investec Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 57.1 in May from 55.8 in April

Manufacturing growth speeds up again in May - PMI

The country's manufacturing sector expanded at its quickest pace in three months in May to mark two years of non-stop growth as firms increased prices slightly to offset cost pressures.

Business • 02 Jun 15

Markit's final composite Purchasing Managers' Index stood at 53.9 in April

Euro zone business activity on solid footing

Euro zone businesses started the second quarter with healthy growth as a buoyant order book again encouraged them to hire more, a survey showed today.

Business • 06 May 15

Investec PMI of activity in services, which covers businesses from banks to hotels, slipped to 60.6 from 60.9 in March

Services expand again, but pace of growth slows

Activity in the country's services sector expanded again in April, a survey showed today, but weakness in new export orders and employment helped nudge the rate of growth to a 14-month low.

Business • 06 May 15

New orders and production picked up pace in April while prices began to rise

US manufacturing grew at sluggish pace in April

US manufacturing continued to growth at a sluggish pace in April, partly hurt by the strong dollar but supported by cheap energy, the Institute for Supply Management has said.

Business • 01 May 15

China's official manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index stood at 50.1 in April, unchanged from March

Chinese official PMI shows factories struggling

China's factories struggled to grow in April as domestic and export demand remained weak, reinforcing expectations that Beijing will roll out more measures to support the slowing economy.

Business • 01 May 15

Investec Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 55.8 in April from 56.8 in March

Manufacturing growth slows slightly in April

Activity in the manufacturing sector expanded for the 23rd month in a row in April, but at a slightly slower rate than in the previous two months.

Business • 01 May 15

Markit's Composite Flash Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 53.5 in April

Euro zone business activity slows in April

Euro zone private sector business growth was weaker than forecast this month on slowing new orders in the region, dragged down largely by faltering activity in France.

Business • 23 Apr 15

The latest Ulster Bank purchasing managers' index shows a rise in both commercial and house-building activity

Construction activity picks up again in March

The pace of growth in construction activity picked up in March after four months in a row during which the rate of expansion had been slowing.

Business • 13 Apr 15

Markit's final March manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index was at a 10-month high of 52.2

Euro zone manufacturing picks up in March

Manufacturing activity across the euro zone accelerated faster than previously thought last month, adding to signs the euro economy is recovering.

Business • 01 Apr 15

Markit's euro zone Composite Flash PMI jumped to a near four-year high of 54.1 in March from February's 53.3

Euro zone business growth speeds up as QE kicks in

Business activity in the euro zone has accelerated much faster than thought this month, in a sign the ECB's bond buying programme may already be paying dividends.

Business • 24 Mar 15

Markit's flash composite PMI jumped to a eight-month high of 55.3 in March from 53.8 in February.

German private sector shows strong growth

Germany's private sector grew in March at its strongest rate since July, a survey showed today, in a further sign that Europe's largest economy is gaining pace.

Business • 24 Mar 15

Markit's final February Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) moved up to 53.3 in February

Euro zone business growth at 7-month high

Price cutting and a weaker currency helped euro zone business activity accelerate in February, according to new surveys.

Business • 04 Mar 15

Investec's PMI of activity in the services sector came in at 61.4 in February, down from January's near-eight year high of 62.5

Domestic economy drives services sector growth

The country's services sector expanded at a strong pace again in February, driven by rising domestic demand as new business from abroad slowed.

Business • 04 Mar 15

Markit's final purchasing managers' index for France fell to 47.6 in February from 49.2 in January

French factory activity slows further in February

A downturn in France's manufacturing sector worsened in February, as a sharp decrease in new orders and sluggish demand fuelled more job-cutting.

Business • 02 Mar 15

pmi

China's factory sector sees big slowdown

Rate of business growth in NI declines - PMI

Chinese factory activity shrank in August: PMI

Manufacturing sector grew again in July

UK services PMI jumps in June

Euro zone businesses shrug off Greek fears

US manufacturing picked up pace in June

Euro zone business growth speeds up to 4 year high

Construction sector in fastest growth in 6 months

Services sector growth hits 3 month high in May

Euro zone business growth loses some steam in May

Manufacturing growth speeds up again in May - PMI

Euro zone business activity on solid footing

Services expand again, but pace of growth slows

US manufacturing grew at sluggish pace in April

Chinese official PMI shows factories struggling

Manufacturing growth slows slightly in April

Euro zone business activity slows in April

Construction activity picks up again in March

Euro zone manufacturing picks up in March

Euro zone business growth speeds up as QE kicks in

German private sector shows strong growth

Euro zone business growth at 7-month high

Domestic economy drives services sector growth

French factory activity slows further in February