UK March construction PMI 45.6 vs 43.7 expected

Latest data released by S&P Global - 8 April 2026 Prior 44.5The downturn in the UK construction sector continues in March, even if at a less marked pace than in February. Of note, residential work remained by far the weakest-performing category.However, the standout in the report was a rapid acceleration in input cost inflation. That is leading to… The downturn in the UK construction sector continues in March, even if at a less marked pace than in February. Of note, residential work remained by far the weakest-performing category. However, the standout in the report was a rapid acceleration in input cost inflation. That is leading to companies seeing their operating margins come under considerable pressure. Of note, firms reported that the war in the Middle East had pushed up fuel, transportation and raw material prices. For traders, the practical value is less about the headline alone and more about how it changes context, sentiment and the quality of the next decision. Watch follow-through, not just the first reaction: liquidity, volatility and confirmation across related assets usually tell the real story.