Activity in the construction sector rebounded in July following a decline in the previous month, according to the latest purchasing managers index from AIB.
The seasonally-adjusted reading for total activity in the sector hit 53 last month – up sharply on the 45.4 reading recorded in June and comfortably above the 50 marker that separates growth from contraction.
The report said the July data signalled a broader improvement in construction, with activity now rising for four consecutive months.
It found that companies were continuing to hire staff, while confidence had improved modestly.
Activity was also boosted by a softening in inflation and supply-chain pressures.
Meanwhile new orders also rose – though only slightly, on the back of what was said to be a “scarcity of
tender opportunities.”
Despite the overall pick-up, activity around housing continued to lag the rest of the industry in the month.
The sub-index for housing stood at 50.5 last month – meaning only a slight rise in activity.
That compared to a reading of 53.6 for commercial activity, and 51.7 within civil engineering.
