Irish manufacturing hits 15-year high in boost to recovery - PMI

DUBLIN, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Irish manufacturing expanded at the fastest rate since 1999 in August, a survey showed on Monday, as a surge in new orders offered further evidence that the economy is recovering steadily.

Ireland (Other OTC: IRLD - news) , which in December became the first bailed-out euro zone country to exit its rescue programme, has seen a string of positive data and analysts forecast that the economy will grow 3 percent this year after two years of near stagnation.

The Investec Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to a 15-year high of 57.3 in August from 55.4 in July, well above the 50 line dividing expansion from contraction and representing the 15th straight month of growth.

"This is a strong outcome, particularly when framed against the backdrop of weakening signs from some Eurozone trading partners of late," said Investec Ireland chief economist Philip O'Sullivan.

"With manufacturing firms in Ireland stepping up their purchasing and hiring activity, it is clear that they are optimistic of a strong finish to the year."

Manufacturing accounts for about a quarter of Irish gross domestic product, according to World Bank figures.

In contrast to one of its smallest members, manufacturing activity for the euro zone as a whole fell to a 13-month low in August, according to flash data out recently.

The PMI (Other OTC: PMIR - news) sub-index measuring new orders among Irish manufacturing firms rose 60.4 in August from 57.1 in July. Output prices, work backlogs and input prices all slipped.

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For further information, please phone Markit on +44 20 7260 2454 or email economics@markit.com (Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Padraic Halpin and Hugh Lawson)