FX.co ★ UK Manufacturing Output Beats Expectations in September

UK manufacturing output rose by 0.7% month-on-month in September 2026, defying market expectations of a 0.5% decline and matching August’s growth rate. This marked the strongest monthly performance since March, with output increasing in seven of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors. The largest positive contribution came from the manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco, which grew by 2.9% after a 0.5% contraction in August. Production also rebounded sharply in coke and refined petroleum products (up 12.2% after a 7.4% fall) and in electrical equipment (up 3.8% after a 2.2% decline), while growth in chemicals and chemical products strengthened to 1.3% from 0.8%. By contrast, the biggest drag came from basic metals and metal products, where output fell by 2.1% following a 0.3% increase previously. On an annual basis, manufacturing output grew by 4.4% in September, the fastest rate since March 2024, beating forecasts of 3.8% and accelerating from a 2.5% increase in the prior month.