LONDON, April 24 (Reuters) - British factory order growth failed to pick up as forecast in April, after steadily slowing over the first three months of the year, a monthly survey from the Confederation of British Industry showed on Tuesday.
The CBI's factory order book balance held at a five-month low of +4, above its long-term average but below expectations in a Reuters poll of economist that it would pick up to +6.
The CBI's quarterly orders balance dropped to +14 in April from +23 in January and output growth on a quarterly basis weakened.
"Although manufacturing growth has slowed again this month, manufacturers continue to enjoy the fruits of stronger growth in Europe and the lower pound," the CBI's chief economist, Rain Newton-Smith, said.