November PMI survey data from IHS Markit and CIPS signalled that the UK service sector remained on a firm growth path towards the end of 2016. The rate of expansion of total activity accelerated further to the strongest since January. Employment growth picked up to the fastest since April, partly fuelled by the sharpest build-up of outstanding work since July 2015. The strength of long-term business sentiment weakened for the first time since July, however, attributed to ongoing political uncertainty and inflationary pressures.
The Index remained above 50.0 for the fourth consecutive month in November, indicating a continued recovery in growth following a contraction in July linked to the EU referendum. Moreover, the Index rose to 55.2, from 54.5, signalling the fastest expansion since January. The rate of growth was broadly in line with the 20-year long-run survey average.
Sterling is currently being traded few points above 1.27 handle. Pair is likely to find support around 1.2650 area and resistance above 1.2750 level.
