Wednesday, November 4, 2020

3/11/20: Ireland PMIs and Economic Activity Dynamics for October

October PMI data for Ireland is showing serious strains from the pandemic and wave 2 on the economic activity: 


  • Manufacturing PMI for October came at a recessionary 48.3, marking a moderation on rapid contraction in the sector activity in September (45.8). This marks the second consecutive month of the Manufacturing PMI reading sub-50, and follows two months of partial (at best) recovery in July and August.
  • Services sector PMI for October was at 50.3 - a statistically indifferent reading from zero growth 50.0 recorded in September.
  • Official Composite PMI was at 49.0 in October, up on 46.9 in September, but still marking a decline in economic activity for the second month in a row. 
  • Since Construction sector PMI is not published until mid-month, we only have September reading for the sector. Based on this, my three-sectors activity indicator that weighs all three sectors based on their contribution to the gross value added has rise to 49.05 from 47.48 in September:

Overall, all PMIs point to a significant weakness in the economy in September continuing into October. Keep in mind that PMIs are effectively cumulative: sub-50 reading in September implies a decline in economic activity relative to August. If this is followed by a sub-50 reading in October, the new decline is being signalled is on already diminished September activity.


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