Weaker housebuilding activity acted as a drag on the construction sector in March, with the Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index for construction falling to a below-expectations 52.2 from 52.5 a month earlier.
Although the reading was above 50, the level separating expansion from contraction, some economists described the figures as disappointing.
The reading for the housing sub-index was the lowest since August, at 51.7. The commercial construction and civil engineering sub-indexes both rose.
