(March 5): UK construction activity unexpectedly declined at a sharper pace in February, according to a closely watched survey, with housebuilding particularly weak. S&P Global’s overall construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 44.5, from January’s seven-month high of 46.4. Housebuilding remained the worse sub-sector in February, shrinking at a faster rate than commercial construction and civil engineering. The construction industry has been shrinking for 14 months and the latest slowdown was faster than the average recorded over that period. Commercial activity also shrunk at a faster pace in February, while the downturn in civil engineering showed signs of easing.

Source: The Edge Markets March 05, 2026 10:02 UTC