Mumbai, March 3 -- The UK manufacturing sector continued to face tough operating conditions in February, as ongoing concerns about weak demand and rising cost pressures led to deeper downturns in output, new orders and employment.
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to a 14-month low of 46.9 in February, down from 48.3 in January but above the earlier flash estimate of 46.4.
The PMI has remained at a sub-50.0 level, signalling contraction, for five months in a row.
Output contracted for the fourth month running in February, as manufacturers scaled back production in response to lower new order intakes, subdued client confidence (at both businesses and consumers) and supply chain issu...