UK Manufacturing Output Posts Surprise Increase in May

Manufacturing production in the UK edged up by 0.1% month-over-month in May 2026, defying market expectations for a 0.2% decline but slowing from an upwardly revised 0.5% increase in the previous month. Output increased in seven of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, led by gains in machinery and equipment (5.3% vs 0.7% in April), followed by computer, electronic and optical products (2.1% vs -0.1%), electrical equipment (1.3% vs -4.5%), and chemicals and chemical products (0.7% vs -1.3%). In contrast, the largest decline was recorded for basic metal and metal products (-2.7% vs 2.4%). Production was also lower for rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (-1.6% vs 1.3%) and other manufacturing and repair (-1.5% vs 0.3%). On an annual basis, manufacturing activity rose 2.3% in May, exceeding forecasts of a 1.9% increase and accelerating from a 1.0% rise in April. It marked the strongest growth since March 2024.

Manufacturing production in the UK rose by 0.4% month-over-month in April 2026, beating market expectations for a 0.2% decline but slowing from a 1.2% increase in the previous month. Output increased in eight of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, led by gains in basic pharmaceutical products and preparations (4.2% vs 2.1% in March), rubber and plastic products (1.7% vs 1.8%), wood and paper products (0.7% vs 1.2%), and basic metals and metal products (1.8% vs 2.1%). Meanwhile, declines were recorded in transport equipment (-1.9% vs 2.0%), chemicals and chemical products (-0.1% vs 2.9%), and computer, electronic and optical products (-1.0% vs 1.9%), while electrical equipment fell sharply by 5.5% after rising 3.3% previously. On a yearly basis, manufacturing output increased by 1.0% in April 2026, exceeding market forecasts for a 0.4% rise but easing slightly from a 1.2% gain in March.

Manufacturing production in the UK advanced by 1.2% month-on-month in March 2026, sharply exceeding market forecasts of a 0.2% decline and rebounding from a revised 0.2% fall in the previous month. Output increased in eight of the thirteen subsectors, with activity recovering in transport equipment (2% vs -2.1% in February), basic metals (2.1% vs -1.7%), rubber and plastic products (1.8% vs -0.4%), food, beverages and tobacco (1.1% vs -0.9%), textiles, wearing apparel and leather products (3.6% vs -3.9%), and wood and paper products (1.2% vs -0.4%). At the same time, output rose in basic pharmaceutical products (2.1% vs 0.5%), electrical equipment (3.3% vs 2.9%), and chemical products (2.9% vs 1.6%). Meanwhile, declines were recorded in computer, electronics and optical products (1.9% vs 2%). On a yearly basis, manufacturing production increased by 1.2% in March, against expectations of stagnation, recovering from a revised 0.8% decline in the preceding period.