Signs of recovery over the summer have been tempered by a slowdown in activity and a pessimistic outlook on employment, according to the latest figures from Experian Business Strategies

01 / THE STATE OF PLAY

The construction activity index declined by one point in September. The index has now been below 50 for 18 consecutive months, and the upward trend that had been recorded since May now appears to have reversed.

However, the road to recovery is never smooth, and this is likely to be just a blip rather than a full-blown double-dip recession.

The civil engineering activity index rose 17 points, taking it above 50 for the first time since December 2007. The index for the residential sector dropped back by five points to 43, while the non-residential sector’s activity index fell two points to 40.

Order books were below normal for a 14th consecutive month in September, with the index edging down one point to 43. On a more positive note, the tender enquiries index was above 50 again, following a drop into negative territory in August. The index rose nine points to 51, as firms in all three sectors reported higher levels of enquiries compared with the previous month