Firms operating in the service sector increased their prices at the fastest rate since May 2024 last month, as cost pressures intensified and overall activity in the sector rose at its weakest rate in four months, the latest AIB Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) shows. New export business growth also rebounded, “reflecting broad-based demand growth”. Financial sub-sectorThe financial service sub-sector remained the fastest growth area in this PMI with a reading of 58, while the business services sub-sector had a reading of 56.8. “New business growth remained broad-based by sector, led by business services. New international contracts rose at a faster rate during the month, with demand strongest in financial services,” the PMI said.

Source: Irish Examiner February 05, 2026 01:10 UTC