"There is little evidence to suggest an imminent rebound in output levels..."
- Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit
U.K. construction activity unexpectedly fell in August, as new orders slumped at the fastest pace since April 2009, Markit Economics said. The construction PMI fell to 49.0, down from 50.9 in July. A reading below 50 indicates contraction.
"U.K. construction firms are suffering a prolonged downturn in new work and there is little evidence to suggest an imminent rebound in output levels," Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said in the statement.
"A construction decline for 2012 overall is statistically baked in the cake."
The FTSE 100 Index tumbled 1.50 per cent to 5,672.01. The broader FTSE All-Share Index inched lower 1.37 per cent to 2,956.87.
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