FX.co ★ Irish Construction Shrinks the Least in 6 Months

The AIB Ireland Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 48.4 in December 2025, up from 46.7 in November, indicating the sector's eighth straight month of contraction. However, December's reading represented the mildest contraction since June, largely due to a resurgence in new orders. For the first time in five months, new orders experienced growth as client demand increased towards the end of the year. In reaction to this uptick in new orders, companies increased both employment and purchasing activities in December—marking the second consecutive month of growth, albeit at modest levels. Nevertheless, delivery times from suppliers were extended as a result of stock shortages and traffic delays. Regarding costs, input prices climbed, driven predominantly by elevated metal prices. Although input inflation decreased from November's peak, it remained above the average for the entire year of 2025. Looking forward, business sentiment reached its highest point in nearly a year, reflecting an optimistic outlook.