UK manufacturing grows at fastest rate in nearly three years
The UK's manufacturing outlook is at its best in 33 months in November, according to purchasing managers' index (PMI) data compiled by Markit.
Jeremy Cook, chief economist at World First, notes that industry has "managed to shrug off the impact of both a stronger pound and a resumption of economic worries in the Eurozone, our largest export market."
November also saw the fastest job creation in the sector since May 2011 with production and new order growth at or near 19 year highs.
The headline PMI number rose to 58.4, from 56.5 (revised up from 56). Analysts had expected that unrevised number to remain flat at 56. Any number above 50 implies an expansion in the sector.