UK manufacturing output slipped by 0.1% month-on-month in February 2026, defying market expectations of a 0.3% increase and reversing an upwardly revised 0.2% gain recorded in January. The main drags on production came from transport equipment (-2.1% vs 3.6% previously), basic metals and metal products (-2.1% vs 0.7%), and food, beverages, and tobacco (-1.2% vs 2.0%).
In contrast, several sectors saw a marked rebound, including machinery and equipment (up 3.9% vs -7.0%), electrical equipment (up 6.3% vs -9.0%), and computer, electronic, and optical products (up 1.6% vs -3.0%). On an annual basis, manufacturing output fell by 0.5% in February, following 1.3% year-on-year growth in January.
