PMI: Industry 'in a rut' after tough month

摘要

Construction activity edged up last month but fears have been raised that the industry is "stuck in a rut". The Markit/CIPS construction PMI index came in at 50.8 for October, up from September's 48.1, as a jump in housing offset falls in commercial and civils work. "Greater housebuilding was the bright spot in a difficult month for the sector," said IHS Markit associate director Tim Moore. But he added: "Sustained declines in civil engineering and commercial activity meant large areas of the building industry have become stuck in a rut."