British services PMI holds ground in June at 53.9

FRANKFURT (MarketWatch)
Growth in Britain's services sector ticked up slightly in June, defying forecasts for a slowdown, according to the CIPS/Markit purchasing managers index for the sector released Tuesday.
The index edged up to 53.9 from a reading of 53.8 in May.
Economists had forecast a decline to 53.5.
A reading of more than 50 indicates expansion.
The pace of growth remains below trend and, combined with earlier manufacturing PMI data, points to second-quarter growth in gross domestic product of no stronger than 0.3%, down from 0.5% in the first quarter, said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit.