Solid Gold Berjangka – The UK economy grew by 0.7% quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter of 2026, marking the fastest pace of growth since the first quarter of 2024. This growth represents an acceleration from the 0.5% recorded in the previous quarter and aligns with market expectations.
The services sector served as the primary driver, expanding by 0.9%—up from 0.6% in the second quarter. Administrative and support service activities surged by 4.1%, while the information and communication sector grew by 2.1%.
The production sector also showed improvement, rising by 0.1% following a previous contraction. The manufacturing industry grew by 0.9%, though weakness in the mining, energy, and utilities sectors tempered further gains.
Conversely, the construction sector remained under pressure, declining by 0.7%—largely due to a slowdown in new project activity. Meanwhile, gross fixed capital formation rose by 1.7%, and both household and government consumption grew by 0.6% each.
In terms of trade, UK exports increased by 1.6%, while imports rose by 1.8%. On an annual basis, the UK economy grew by 1.9%, an improvement from the 1.4% recorded in the second quarter, signaling strengthening momentum in the economic recovery. (srh)