FX.co ★ Irish Services Sector Growth Remains Solid in October

The AIB Ireland Services PMI Business Activity Index edged up to 54.3 in October 2026 from 54.1 in September, indicating a sixth consecutive month of expansion, though growth remained below its long-run average. Technology, Media & Telecom continued to lead sectoral growth, followed by Transport, Tourism & Leisure and Business Services, while Financial Services registered the weakest expansion. New business continued to rise solidly, albeit at a slower pace, with international demand broadly stagnating. Employment also increased modestly, while outstanding business declined for the first time in five months. On the price front, input cost inflation accelerated to a five-month high, driven mainly by higher fuel, energy and wage costs, while prices charged for services rose at their fastest rate since February 2023. Finally, business sentiment slipped to a six-month low as inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty weighed on the 12‑month outlook.