‘The Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers’ index, which is based on a monthly survey of construction companies, remained unchanged at 48.7 in January.
A number below 50 implies that overall business activity was contracting. The majority of respondents cited weak demand from clients and a lack of new projects as the main reasons behind January’s sluggish performance.
However, there were some positive signs as the index which measures activity on housing projects increased from 43.1 to 47.1, while the index for commercial projects climbed from 47.9 to 50.’
Source: The Times