UK Business Activity Hits Eight-Month High Amid AI Demand Surge
UK business activity reaches its strongest level since February, fueled by rising new orders and AI demand, according to the latest S&P Global PMI data.
POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — British commercial activity has reached its most robust level since February, according to fresh data released on Friday. The latest S&P Global Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicates a significant uptick in growth, largely propelled by a surge in new orders and increasing demand linked to artificial intelligence.
This performance marks a notable improvement in the domestic business environment, signaling renewed economic momentum. The findings suggest that the private sector is successfully navigating broader economic challenges, including the lingering effects of energy price volatility stemming from the conflict in Iran.
The current data follows a period of fluctuating output, which saw the S&P Global UK Services PMI dip to a three-month low of 51.7 in September, down from 52.5 in August. Despite that temporary cooling, the broader composite index has now climbed to 53.9 in the preliminary report for February, rising from 53.7 in January.
This latest reading represents the highest output level recorded since April 2024, a period predating the current administration of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The consistent performance above the 50.0 no-change threshold confirms that the UK private sector has maintained growth for three consecutive months, effectively rounding out a quarter of steady economic expansion.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
