UK manufacturing production rises sharply in Sept, a big beat on expectations

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published the UK industrial and manufacturing production data on Friday, showing that the overall industrial activity improved sharply in the month of Sept, with the manufacturing figures surprising the markets to the upside.

Manufacturing output arrived at 0.7% m/m in Sept versus a 0.4% gain seen in Aug, while total industrial output rose sharply by 0.7% in the reported month, against a 0.3% increase seen previously.

On an annualized basis, UK manufacturing production figures came in at 2.7% in Sept, bettering expectations. Total industrial output also increased by 2.5% in Sept, beating expectations of a 1.9% reading and against the previous 1.8% print.