Thursday, July 4, 2013

4/7/2013: Irish Services Sector Activity Index: May 2013

Irish Services Index for May was out today, so here are the updated trends.

Wholesale Trade activity rose from 114.7 to 116.7 between April and May 2013, with index up 1.74% m/m having posted a 7.9% rise m/m in April. 3mo average through May 2013 is down on 3mo average through May 2012 by some 7.45% and 6mo average through May 2013 is down 6.47% y/y. Thus, two last months' readings are encouraging, but not yet enough to reverse overall slower activity recorded y/y.

Wholesale and Retail Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles etc sector activities also improved m/m in May 2013, rising 1.22% after posting a 3.61% rise m/m in April. 3mo average through May 2013 is down 5.27% y/y and 6mo average through May 2013 is down 4.22% y/y. Relative to historical max (history here references period from January 2009), the index is still down 4.27%

Transport and Storage sector is up 1.49% m/m in May 2013 having posted a 1.06% increase in April 2013. 3mo average through May 2013 is up 5.79% y/y and 6mo average is up 6.62% y/y. Relative to historical max, the index is down 5.84%.


Accommodation and Food services activity dipped 0.58% m/m in May, having recorded a 3.38% drop in April. 3mo average through May is still up 1.40% y/y and 6mo average is up 1.72% y/y. The sector is down 17.78% on peak for the period from January 2009.

Administrative & Support services activity rose 0.68% m/m in May, having recorded a 2.42% rise in April. 3mo average through May is still up 20.67% y/y and 6mo average is up 18.06% y/y. The sector is currently at a peak for the period from January 2009.


Information & Communication services activity dipped 3.23% m/m in May, having recorded a 2.11% drop in April. 3mo average through May is still up 10.31% y/y and 6mo average is up 7.72% y/y. The sector is down 5.28% on peak for the period from January 2009.

Professional, Scientific and Technical services activity dropped 4.40% m/m in May, having recorded a 0.11% decline in April. 3mo average through May is down 3.72% y/y and 6mo average is down 4.34% y/y. The sector is down 35.0% on peak for the period from January 2009.


Overall services sector activity declined 0.74% m/m in May, having recorded a 1.21% expansion in April. 3mo average through April 2013 was up 1.83% y/y and this improved to 2.31% growth for 3mo average through May 2013. 6mo average through May 2013 was up 1.72% y/y. Relative to peak, overall services activity is down 1.64%.


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