July data highlighted an increase in UK private sector output for the first time in three months, supported by a marginal upturn in new work. Moreover, the latest survey indicated that business activity expectations for the year ahead were the most upbeat since February. Input price inflation meanwhile eased further from April's recent peak. The latest rise in average cost burdens was the least marked for five months, helped by lower fuel bills and softer raw material price inflation. At 52.1 in July, up from 49.3 in June, the headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global Flash UK PMI® Composite Output Index registered in ... (full story)