- U.K. manufacturing growth hit a seven-month high in February as domestic strength offset weakness in Britain’s main export markets.
- "This reinforces the picture of a broader growth revival in the U.K. so far in the opening quarter," said Markit's Rob Dobson, but warned that the upturn relied on the manufacture of consumer goods, rather than plant and machinery which would reflect improving business investment.
- Markit's PMI rose a full point to 54.1 from a revised 53.1 last month, beating all economists' forecasts.
- The pound is down 0.2% at $1.5414, while the FTSE 100 is +0.3%.
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