Source: Markit Economics
The United Kingdom’s service sector expanded for the third straight month in March, indicating a continued rebound after the slowdowns seen due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant. EWU is up 0.03% premarket.
- The seasonally adjusted S&P Global / CIPS UK Services PMI Business Activity Index jumped to 62.6 in March from 60.5 in the previous month.
- The growth rate was the second-fastest recorded since May 1997, following the post-lockdown rebound seen in May 2021.
- New work increased, with more than double the respondents recording growth in new orders versus those that reported a contraction.
- Employment recorded its biggest growth since October 2021, with respondents suggesting tight labor market conditions indicating vacancies.
- Some 40% of respondents reported higher average prices, bringing the prices charged index posting the fastest growth since July 1966.
- Expectations declined, dragged by budgetary constraints and uncertainties due to the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
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