The industrial sector activity showed contraction in January, the latest UK industrial and manufacturing production data published by Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed on Friday.

Manufacturing output arrived at -0.4% MoM in January versus -0.1% expectations and 0% registered in December while total industrial output came in at -0.3% MoM vs. -0.2% expected and 0.3% last.

On an annualized basis, the UK manufacturing production figures came in at -5.2% in January, missing expectations of -5.0%. Total industrial output plunged by 4.3% in the first month of the year against -4.0% expected and the previous -4.0% reading. 

Separately, the UK goods trade balance numbers were published, which arrived at GBP-17.855 billion in January versus GBP-17.75 billion expectations and GBP-19.271 billion last. The total trade balance (non-EU) came in at GBP-7.808 billion in January versus GBP-7.484 billion previous.

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