NORTHERN Ireland's economic output grew at its fastest rate for almost a year last month.
The latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) produced for Ulster Bank by Markit, found output rose alongside an increase in new orders in September.
The report said companies took on extra staff to cope with additional workloads.
Meanwhile, lower commodity prices led to a further easing in the rate of cost inflation and output prices were reduced at a solid pace.
The overall rate of expansion was the fastest since October last year.
All four monitored sectors recorded growth of output, led by retail.
There was also a first increase in activity for construction firms since February.
As had been the case in the previous month, the rate of cost inflation among Northern Ireland companies slowed in September.
While higher staff costs had contributed to increased input prices, a number of respondents mentioned reductions in the prices of commodities such as fuel and steel.
Ulster Bank's chief economist in Northern Ireland Richard Ramsey said: "According to the Ulster Bank Northern Ireland PMI, the private sector got off to a slow start at the beginning of 2015. However, the general trajectory since then has been one of improvement.
"Indeed, the rate of growth in business activity and new orders accelerated in the third quarter, relative to the previous three months. Meanwhile, local firms reported their first quarterly rise in export orders in Q3 since the same period last year.
"Private sector firms have now increased their staffing levels for the ninth consecutive quarter, albeit the pace of job creation eased. Interestingly, the third quarter represented the first time in four quarters that firms have posted growth in output, orders, exports and employment.
“Overall, the latest survey is littered with positive headlines. But equally there are also reasons for concern - not least the global economic slowdown which appears to be gathering momentum. It is noted that global manufacturing output growth slowed to a 29-month low in September. Meanwhile the UK PMI fell to its weakest rate in 29 months."
