英国建筑业持续低迷，折射经济复苏困境

Core Insights - The UK construction sector's activity has contracted for the ninth consecutive month, reflecting a cautious outlook among businesses regarding the economic future [1][2] - The September PMI for the UK construction industry rose slightly to 46.2 from 45.5 in August, marking a three-month high but still indicating a contraction below the neutral level of 50 [1] - Employment in the construction sector has seen a decline for the first time in five months, highlighting the challenges faced in the overall economic recovery [1] Industry Performance - The construction sector's performance remains weak across various segments, with residential building activity continuing to struggle and civil engineering experiencing its first contraction since February 2023 [1] - The commercial sub-sector is also facing a downward trend, indicating widespread challenges within the industry [1] Economic Factors - High borrowing costs, a sluggish real estate market, and policy uncertainty are identified as primary factors suppressing the recovery of the UK construction industry [2] - The persistent inflationary pressures have led to a consumer price index increase of 3.8% in August, significantly above the Eurozone level, forcing the Bank of England to maintain a high base interest rate of 4% [2] - The government's recent proposal to stimulate infrastructure investment is seen as a potential positive, but the clarity of budget policies will be crucial in determining the industry's direction [2]