UK manufacturing slows down in August, geopolitics weigh
The Markit purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the month of August slipped to a reading of 52.5 in August from 54.8 in the month before.
That was the lowest reading since June 2013.
The consensus estimate was for a reading of 55.1.
Growth in output and new orders slowed further during the month although it remained in positive territory in both cases.
The positive readings were linked by companies to demand from domestic and overseas markets, with all sectors still seeing growth. Nevertheless, "signs of a slowdown have become increasingly evident in recent months."
Rates of growth in employment and new orders both slowed, with the former hitting a 14-month low.
Even so, "the rate of expansion remained a touch above its long-run average," Rob Dobson, Senior Economist at survey compiler Markit said.
Dobson added that the impact of increasing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe was more evident in the latest set of data for export orders.
AB