September data revealed a setback for the Irish manufacturing sector as new orders fell at the fastest pace so far this year, following a brief rebound during August. Subdued global demand conditions and customer destocking were factors holding back new business intakes. As a result, export sales resumed their downward trend in September, largely driven by falling spending by European clients. On a more positive note, a solid pace of job creation was maintained and manufacturers remain more upbeat about their year ahead growth prospects than seen on average in the first half of 2023.