The UK manufacturing downturn slowed in July as output contracted at a slower pace and business optimism hit a five-month high, survey data from S&P Global showed on Friday.
The final factory Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 48.0 in July from 47.7 in the previous month. The flash score was 48.2. The reading signaled contraction in each of the past ten months.
S&P Global Market Intelligence Director Rob Dobson said, the UK manufacturing sector is starting to send some tentatively encouraging signals.
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June 19, 2026 16:46 ET Major central banks continued to dominate the economic news flow this week too, led by the Federal Reserve, as they announced their latest policy decisions. The Federal Reserve policy session was in focus as it was the first to be led by the new chief Kevin Warsh. In Europe, central banks of the U.K. and Switzerland announced their rate decisions. In Asia, the Bank of Japan drew attention for its policy moves, while data out of China threw some light on the state of the economy.