The AIB Irish Manufacturing PMI indicates that the sector maintained good momentum in June, with the index easing to 54.9 from 55.9 in May. The expansion in June was due to sustained gains in output, new export orders and stock building. Output rose strongly in June, albeit growth eased slightly from May, with respondents citing continued buoyant order books. This was also evident in solid growth in new orders and export orders, which reached multi-year highs in May, as firms reported a boost to sales despite the geopolitical uncertainty.