The industrial sector activity rebounded in March, the latest UK industrial and manufacturing production data published by Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed on Friday.
Manufacturing output arrived at 0.7% MoM in March versus -0.1% expected and -0.1% seen in February while total industrial output came in at 0.7% MoM vs. 0% expected and -0.1% last.
On an annualized basis, the UK Manufacturing Production data came in at -1.3% in March, beating expectations of -2.5%. Total industrial output dropped by 2.0% in the third month of the year against -2.9% expected and the previous print of -2.7%.
Separately, the UK goods trade balance numbers were published, which arrived at GBP-16.356 billion in March versus GBP-17.50 billion expectations and GBP-16.635 billion last. The total trade balance (non-EU) came in at GBP-5.458 billion in March versus GBP-5.794 billion previous.