The UK got a boost in both its manufacturing and service sectors in August, new flash data on Thursday showed.

The latest S&P Global flash UK composite purchasing managers’ index rose to 53.4 points in August, up from 52.8 points in July. According to FXStreet, markets were expecting the figure to edge up to just 52.9.

Pushing further above the 50-point neutral mark, and to a four-month-high, the data suggests the nation’s private sector growth quickened this month. The headline index has now posted above the 50.0 no-change threshold for ten consecutive months.

The composite reading is calculated using the services and manufacturing scores. Both the services and manufacturing economies remained in growth territory.

The flash services PMI rose to 53.3 points in August from 52.5 a month earlier. This marked a four-month high.

The manufacturing PMI edged up to a 26-month high of 52.5, up from 52.1.

“August is witnessing a welcome combination of stronger economic growth, improved job creation and lower inflation, according to provisional PMI survey data,‘ said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

“Both manufacturing and service sectors are reporting solid output growth and increased job gains as business confidence remains elevated by historical standards.’

The survey features a panel of 650 firms across the service and manufacturing sectors. The flash readings include the responses of up to 90% of them.

The final manufacturing data is reported on September 2, before the services and composite indicators on September 4.

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