Construction activity fell by more than half in January due to Covid-19 restrictions. Housing construction was the hardest hit, according to Ulster Bank’s Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), although commercial and civil engineering activity was also way down. The Ulster Bank PMI, which tracks changes in total construction activity, fell to 21.1 in January from 52.3 in December, following two successive months of growth. Read MoreSince then, housing activity has seen a steep decline, with Ulster Bank’s construction PMI falling to 19.0 in January from 56.2 the previous month. Purchasing activity also fell sharply as projects were put on hold and companies ran down stockpiles.

Source: Irish Independent February 08, 2021 02:26 UTC