10/03/2014

NI Posts 'Robust Growth'

Northern Ireland experienced "robust output growth" in February, led by a ninth successive monthly rise in new business, according to the latest Ulster Bank Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI).

The private sector saw a further sharp increase in business activity at, aided by another month of strong new order growth. A marked easing in the rate of cost inflation was also recorded, as companies lowered their output prices.

Business activity at Northern Ireland companies continued to rise in February, extending the current sequence of growth to eight months, according to the report.

New business rose for the ninth month as respondents indicated improved success in securing sales. Retail posted the strongest increase in new business. New export orders also rose again during the month, albeit at a weaker pace than overall new business.

The report also said further strong growth of new orders led to a solid build-up of backlogs of work during February, with the rate of accumulation slightly faster than seen at the start of the year.

Increased backlogs of work and strong growth of new business led companies in Northern Ireland to raise their staffing levels. The sharpest job creation was seen at retailers.

The rate of inflation eased sharply and was well below the series average. The service sector saw the biggest slowdown in inflationary pressures, while manufacturers posted a weaker rise than in the previous month.

Northern Ireland companies lowered their output prices slightly, marking the first reduction in prices charged since April 2013. The fall mainly reflected a solid reduction in services selling prices, while the remaining three sectors all posted increased charges.

(IT)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 February 2005
Minister pays tribute to North Down business partnership
Minister for Employment and Learning Barry Gardiner has paid tribute to the partnership approach taken by three key stakeholders in the Further Education and local Council sectors, to develop a joint economic strategy for the North Down area.
19 February 2010
Small Businesses Get 'Secure' Opportunity
An innovation that is being billed as a unique business opportunity for Small & Medium Enterprises, (SMEs) and the civil security industry across all of Ireland has been launched.
24 January 2018
NI Unemployment Rate Reaches Lowest Level In A Decade
The unemployment rate in Northern Ireland has reached its lowest level in ten years, according to new figures. From September to November 2017 the rate was 3.8% and is now below the UK rate. It has decreased by 0.9% from the previous quarter and by 1.8% over the year.
02 April 2004
Invest NI assists 5,000 business starts ups in two years
Invest NI has secured commitments of £1 billion and assisted nearly 5,000 new business starts in its first two years, the agency has claimed on its second anniversary. Professor Fabian Monds, Chairman of Invest NI said the agency had played an integral role in helping Northern Ireland adapt to "global market dynamics".
10 July 2007
Cocaine found in Derry hedge
Cocaine with a street value of over £100,000 has been found in a hedgerow in County Derry. The discovery of the Class A drugs at Shanreagh Park in Limavady was the latest in the war against rising supply of cocaine in Northern Ireland, police have said. No arrests have been made during the operation which took place on Monday.