U.K. Feb. manufacturing expands at slower pace

LONDON (MarketWatch)
Activity across the British manufacturing sector continued to grow in February, but at a slower pace, according to a survey of purchasing managers released Thursday
The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers index for the sector fell to 51.2 February, down slightly from January's eight-month high of 52.0
A reading above 50 indicates expansion
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires expected a February reading of 52.1
"The manufacturing sector consolidated on January's sharp increase in growth, but the return of rising oil prices and lackluster demand is a cause of some trepidation," said David Noble, chief executive at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply