U.K. Services Weaker Than Expected Even Before New Lockdown

The U.K.’s dominant services sector expanded at the slowest pace since June last month, a sign that the economy was weak even before new coronavirus curbs were introduced.

IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers Index for the industry stood at 51.4 in October, down sharply from 56.1 the previous month and below a flash estimate. Employment fell for an eighth month, and firms reported a lack of new work.