The AIB Ireland Services PMI inched up to 55.4 in August 2026 from July’s 55.2, marking the highest reading since November 2025. The acceleration in services activity was buoyed by a solid increase in new business, boosted by overseas demand, albeit at a more modest pace than in July. Financial services led the sector, followed by technology, media & telecoms. New business accelerated in August, almost matching June’s seven-month high.