"We have witnessed a return to the status quo of flat growth in a fragile economy"
- David Noble, chief executive officer at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply
U.K. manufacturing sector contracted further in August, a survey showed on Monday. The Purchasing Manager's Index rose to 49.5, up from 45.2 in July, said the Markit research company. U.K.'s PMI remains in the negative territory for a fourth straight month.
"We have witnessed a return to the status quo of flat growth in a fragile economy," said David Noble, chief executive officer at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply.
"This optimism, however, is set firmly in the context of a slowing global economy. The U.K. manufacturing sector continues to struggle against economic headwinds, especially from Europe."
The FTSE 100 Index added 0.76 per cent to 5,754.88. The broader FTSE All-Share Index inched 0.71 per cent higher to 2,993.61.
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