British construction output almost returned to growth in April, a survey showed on Thursday - the best performance in six months for a sector that has been the main brake on the country's economic growth. The Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 49.4, just below the 50 level that separates growth from contraction but well above a forecast for 48.0 in a Reuters poll of economists. In March, the index stood at 47.2. Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said the sector appeared to have benefited from a catch-up in work after a disruption caused by cold weather earlier in the year. ... (full story)