British factories expect to churn out more goods in the next three months to meet buoyant demand, according to a survey Thursday, in a promising sign for the U.K.'s growth prospects.
The Confederation of British Industry said in a monthly poll of manufacturers that the difference between the percentage of firms expecting output to increase over the next three months and those expecting output to stay flat or fall widened in February to 28%, the biggest margin since September.
The CBI said the pickup in demand was spread across sectors, with 16 of the 17 industrial sectors it monitors saying they expect output to rise. Firms also reported fatter order books for both domestic customers and clients overseas.
The survey adds to evidence the U.K. economy appears poised for further expansion in 2014 after growing 1.9% last year, the fastest rate of growth since 2007.
The Confederation of British Industry said in a monthly poll of manufacturers that the difference between the percentage of firms expecting output to increase over the next three months and those expecting output to stay flat or fall widened in February to 28%, the biggest margin since September.
The CBI said the pickup in demand was spread across sectors, with 16 of the 17 industrial sectors it monitors saying they expect output to rise. Firms also reported fatter order books for both domestic customers and clients overseas.
The survey adds to evidence the U.K. economy appears poised for further expansion in 2014 after growing 1.9% last year, the fastest rate of growth since 2007.