Growth in the United Kingdom’s service sector accelerated during the month of October, beating market expectations; however, it remained well above the 50-point no-change threshold for the third consecutive month in a row, indicating a continued recovery in growth following a contraction in July linked to the EU referendum.
U.K.’s Markit/CIPS UK Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose to 54.5 from 52.6 in September, marking its highest level since January and topping all forecasts in a Reuters poll of economists that pointed to a slight fall to 52.4. Moreover, the country’s Services Business Activity Index rose to 54.5, from 52.6, signalling the fastest expansion since January.
The survey also showed that a weak pound drove a marked intensification of cost pressures at service providers in October. Input price inflation surged to the highest since March 2011, with a survey-record month-on-month acceleration. Business expectations continued to recover from July’s near seven-and-a-half year low in October.
Further, service providers in the UK continued to add to their workforces in October. Employment increased for the third month running, albeit with the rate of job creation remaining well below the marked rates achieved in 2014 and 2015.
Meanwhile, concerns over the EU referendum result showed some signs of dissipating as respondents commented on a refocus on opportunities and ramped up marketing and sales promotions.
"Concerns over the EU referendum result showed some signs of dissipating as respondents commented on a refocus on opportunities and ramped up marketing and sales promotions," said Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist, IHS Markit.


Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement
Kevin Hassett Says Inflation Is Below Target, Backs Trump’s Call for Rate Cuts
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 



