A leading indicator for the economy recorded its slowest pace of growth since May 2013 in a warning sign ahead of Britain's exit from the European Union. A leading indicator for the economy recorded its slowest pace of growth since May 2013 in a warning sign ahead of Britain's exit from the European Union. The AIB Ireland Composite Purchasing Managers Index headline reading dropped to 54.2 at the start of 2019, down from 56.3 in December. Behind the slowdown in the pace of Irish private sector output growth were weaker rises in both manufacturing production and services activity. Official forecasts are all for a decline in economic growth, with the Central Bank forecasting a 4.5pc expansion this year, with an agreed Brexit.

Source: Irish Independent February 05, 2019 02:26 UTC