Pound rises as UK services sector posts robust growth

From telegraph.co.uk

Britain's dominant services sector expanded at a robust pace in January, as new orders picked-up despite the uncertain global economic backdrop. Markit's survey of the sector showed new business growth rose to a six month high, while the pace of hiring picked-up from December’s five-month low. The Markit/CIPS UK services PMI edged up to 55.6 in January. This was slightly higher than December's reading of 55.5 and beat economists' estimates for a moderation in growth to 55.4. Any reading above 50 indicates growth. Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, said the robust expansion put the economy on course to ... (full story)