FX.co ★ Ireland’s Manufacturing Momentum Builds as AIB PMI Rises to 53.1 in February

Ireland’s manufacturing sector extended its expansionary run in February, with the AIB Ireland Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edging up to 53.1. This marks an increase from January 2026’s reading of 52.2, reinforcing signs of improving activity across the sector.

The February 2026 print, updated on 2 March 2026, keeps the index comfortably above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction. The acceleration from January suggests a further strengthening in operating conditions for Irish manufacturers, indicating that production, orders, or related components of the survey have continued to trend positively.

With back-to-back monthly gains in early 2026, the data point to a manufacturing landscape that is gradually gaining traction, a development likely to be closely watched by investors and policymakers assessing the resilience of Ireland’s industrial base.