United Kingdom: Industrial production remains depressed in September
Industrial production fell 0.3% in September compared to the prior month, following August’s revised 0.7% decline (previously reported: -0.6% month-on-month). September’s figure was driven by contractions in the manufacturing, and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning subsectors. Lower manufacturing output was partly the result of a decline in volatile pharmaceutical production. In annual terms, industrial production fell 1.4% in September, coming after August’s 1.8% drop.
Looking ahead, while our panelists see industrial production recovering somewhat in 2020, it is likely to remain sluggish, held back by uncertainty over the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU and a tough external environment.