The Markit/CIPS UK construction purchasing managers index (PMI) data for March will be unveiled Wednesday, a day after figures showed a spike in manufacturing and services exports.
The construction PMI is expected to rise to 48 in March, according to the consensus forecast, from February's drop to 46.8 - the lowest since October 2009 - which sunk further below the 50 level that separates growth from contraction.
"Downward pressure on client budgets, alongside subdued public sector spending, again led to lower output levels and reduced new order inflows," said Tim Moore, senior economist at survey compiler Markit, alongside the February data.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
However the British Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday signalled a boost to the UK economy as its survey revealed a jump in exports of manufacturing and services industries driven in part by a weak pound in the first quarter of 2013.
The manufacturing export deliveries balance rose six points to +19% while the orders balance climbed 11 points to +22%, the best levels since the second quarter of 2012.
The service export deliveries balance jumped nine points in the first quarter to +33% and orders increased eight points to +26%, the highest levels since the fourth quarter of 1994.
However employment has weakened with manufacturing down four points to +11% and services down one point to +11%.
BCC Chief Economist David Kern said the first quarter improvement shows that UK output has continued to grow in the early months of 2013.
"The survey reinforces our assessment that recent [official] gross domestic product [GDP] figures have exaggerated the weakness of the UK economy and the volatility in output," he said.
Wednesday April 3rd
INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Darty, Hansard Global
INTERIM EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Finsbury Food Group, Henderson EuroTrust, Produce Investment, RIT Capital Partners, Smith (DS), Wolseley
QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE
Investors Capital Trust 'A' Shares, Investors Capital Trust 'B' Shares, JP Morgan Chase & Co, Torchmark Corp.
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Consumer Price Index (EU) (10:00)
Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)
Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (EU) (10:00)
MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)
Speech President San Francisco Fed (20:30)
Speech President St.Louis Fed (22:00)
US ADP employment report (13:15)
China non-manufacturing PMI (02:00)
GMS
Beacon Hill Resources, Obtala Resources Ltd
FINALS
Bond International Software
SPECIAL EX-DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Standard Life
EGMS
Scotty Group SE (CDI)
AGMS
RCM Technology Trust
TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Andor Technology
UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
BRC Shop Price Index (00:01)
PMI Construction (09:30)
FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE
Greencore Group
FINAL EX-DIVIDEND DATE
32Red, 4Imprint Group, Acencia Debt Strategies Ltd., Belvoir Lettings, Charlemagne Capital Ltd., Delcam, Dragon Oil, F&C Asset Management, Foreign and Colonial Inv Trust, Hammerson, HGCapital Trust, Interserve, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group, Keller Group, Pearson, Phoenix Group Holdings (DI), RSA Insurance Group, SpaceandPeople, Standard Life, Stanley Gibbons Group
RD
-
Which UK region has the most in savings? Average savings by areaThe amount people have in their savings differs from region to region in the UK. How does your nest egg compare to those living nearby?
-
Doug and Mary Perkins: Specsavers’ clear-sighted foundersHelped by the deregulation of the sector in the 1980s and brilliant advertising, Mary Perkins and her husband Doug have taken Specsavers to the top of the optometry market
