UK Private Sector Grows Most in Nine Months in Surprise Pickup

Britain’s private sector expanded at the fastest pace in nine months, an unexpected acceleration that will lift hopes that the economy did not slow as sharply as feared in the second quarter.

S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index jumped to 52 in June, up from 50.3 the previous month, according to a revised estimate. It was much better than the 50.7 seen in June’s flash reading and firmly above the 50 threshold separating growth and contraction.