UK construction sector downturn extends to 14th consecutive month

Activity in Britain’s construction sector contracted for the 14th month in a row in February, extending its longest downturn since the global ​financial crisis despite an improvement in business optimism, a business survey ‌showed this week.

S&P Global’s UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for Britain’s construction sector fell in February to 44.5 from January’s seven-month high of 46.4.

The reading remained well below the ​50-mark that divides growth from contraction...