The Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in the United Kingdom grew in July, coming in at 51.7, up from June's reading of 48.9, a report from S&P Global and Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) showed on Friday.
The figure passed the 50-point threshold, with the upturn in supplier performance being the fastest since March 2009. The best-performing segment of the construction industry in July was commercial building, with the index reaching 54.4. This was followed by civil engineering, as the index increased to 53.9. However, the gains were offset by the decline in the house building index, which slipped to 43.
"July data indicated that some parts of the UK construction sector gained momentum ... [leading] to a renewed rise in total construction output which, although modest, was the fastest for five months," Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence Tim Moore stated.