UK Manufacturing Output Falls More Than Expected

2026-08-13 06:28 By Czyrill Jean Coloma 1 min. read

Manufacturing production in the UK fell 0.5% month-on-month in June 2026, worse than market expectations and May's downwardly revised 0.2% drop.

Output contracted in seven of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, with the largest negative contributions coming from the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and preparations (-5.1% vs 0.2% in May), alongside computer, electronic and optical products (-0.9% vs 2.1%), and machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified (-0.1% vs 3.4%).

Meanwhile, production rebounded in the manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco (1.0% vs -0.1%), coke and refined petroleum products (0.4% vs -1.0%), rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (0.4% vs -1.9%), and other manufacturing and repair activities (3.2% vs -1.4%).

On an annual basis, manufacturing output growth slowed to a four-month low of 0.5% from a downwardly revised 2.0% in May, falling short of market expectations for a 1.2% increase.



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UK Manufacturing Output Falls More Than Expected
Manufacturing production in the UK fell 0.5% month-on-month in June 2026, worse than market expectations and May's downwardly revised 0.2% drop. Output contracted in seven of the thirteen manufacturing subsectors, with the largest negative contributions coming from the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and preparations (-5.1% vs 0.2% in May), alongside computer, electronic and optical products (-0.9% vs 2.1%), and machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified (-0.1% vs 3.4%). Meanwhile, production rebounded in the manufacture of food products, beverages and tobacco (1.0% vs -0.1%), coke and refined petroleum products (0.4% vs -1.0%), rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (0.4% vs -1.9%), and other manufacturing and repair activities (3.2% vs -1.4%). On an annual basis, manufacturing output growth slowed to a four-month low of 0.5% from a downwardly revised 2.0% in May, falling short of market expectations for a 1.2% increase.
2026-08-13
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.
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UK Manufacturing Output Unexpectedly Rises in April
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.
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