"This [construction survey] suggests that growth may pick up again in the sector in coming moths"
- Sarah Bingham, an economist at Markit
U.K. construction companies remain optimistic about their prospects, shows a survey of the sector. The Markit purchasing managers index for the construction sector declined to 51.4 in January from 53.2 in December. Reading above 50 indicates industry expansion.
"This suggests that growth may pick up again in the sector in coming moths and, on top of the surprisingly strong start to 2012 reported by the sister survey of manufacturing, will raise hopes that a slide back into recession may yet be avoided," said Sarah Bingham, an economist at Markit.
U.K. stocks closed little changed on Thursday after a report showed U.S. unemployment claims fell more than expected. The benchmark FTSE 100 index advanced 0.09%, or 5.35 points, to 5,796.07. The FTSE All-Share Index climbed 0.17%, or 5.17 points, to 2,995.51.
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