U.K.services sector completes "glowing picture" of economy.

The U.K. services sector expanded at the fastest rate for over 6 1/2 years in August, with the Business Activity Index edging up to 60.5 from 60.2 in July. New-business growth was the strongest in more than 16 years, while the rise in backlogs was the largest since February 2000. The reading, along with strong manufacturing and construction PMIs, "completes a glowing picture for the U.K. economy," says the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply.