UK economy grows 0.7%, its fastest pace in two and a half years
UK GDP rose 0.7% in July to September, the fastest quarterly growth since early 2024, led by business services.
Evento: 12 de novembro de 2026
Fonte primária: 12 de novembro de 2026
Publicado aqui: 12 de novembro de 2026 às 08:56 UTC
Ler: 2 min
O que aconteceu
In its first estimate, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said UK real GDP grew 0.7% in the third quarter after 0.5% in the second. That is 1.9% up on a year ago. Services grew 0.9%, production 0.1%, and construction fell 0.7%. The figure matched a Reuters poll.
Por que importa para você
The Bank of England raised rates last week and upgraded its growth forecast. A strong economy gives it fewer reasons to cut rates soon, which matters for mortgages, the pound and UK stocks.
O que conferir e observar
The next GDP estimate is due December 22. Watch retail sales and consumer confidence: both weakened in the autumn.
Onde está acontecendo
LIVEArraste para girar. Pontos verdes: a bolsa está negociando agora (horário normal, sem contar feriados). Sombra: onde agora é noite. Fronteiras: Natural Earth, terremotos: USGS. Ideia das camadas: God’s Eye View (MIT).
What happened. The ONS published its first estimate for July to September 2026: GDP up 0.7% on the quarter and 1.9% on the same quarter a year ago. Reuters says it is the fastest calendar-quarter growth since the first quarter of 2024. In September alone output rose 0.2%, and August was revised down to zero.
What drove it. Almost all of it came from services, especially business-facing services (up 1.0%). Information and communication rose 2.1%, computer programming and consultancy 4.4%. The ONS says this industry has been the biggest driver of growth in 2026, with many of the firms reporting the largest revenue gains linked to AI and cloud computing. Manufacturing rose 0.9%, while construction fell 0.7%, with private housing new work down 4.7%.
Who spent. Household spending rose 0.6%, government spending 0.6%, fixed investment 1.7% and business investment 0.4%. Exports rose 1.6% and imports 1.8%.
Limits. This is a first estimate and it will be revised. Reuters also points to weak spots: retail sales volumes fell in September, and consumer confidence had its sharpest monthly drop since April 2020 before the budget.
Fatos confirmados
- UK real GDP grew 0.7% in the third quarter of 2026 after 0.5% in the second quarter.[1][2]
- GDP was 1.9% higher than in the same quarter of 2025.[1][2]
- Services grew 0.9%, production 0.1%, and construction fell 0.7%.[1]
- GDP grew 0.2% in September; August was revised from 0.1% growth to zero.[1]
- Computer programming, consultancy and related activities grew 4.4%; the ONS sees a contribution from AI and cloud firms.[1]
- Household spending rose 0.6% and gross fixed capital formation 1.7%.[1]
- It was the strongest calendar-quarter growth since the first quarter of 2024 and matched a Reuters poll of economists.[2]
- The Bank of England now expects 1.6% GDP growth in 2026, the Office for Budget Responsibility 1.2%.[2]
- The next GDP estimate is due on December 22, 2026.[1]
Implicações
- ConfirmadoUK growth in 2026 is running faster than in 2025.
- Nossa leituraStrong data lowers the chance of a quick Bank of England rate cut.
- Nossa leituraIf high energy prices and borrowing costs keep biting, growth may slow in the fourth quarter.
Ainda não se sabe
- How much the first estimate will be revised in December.
- How the October 28 budget will affect spending in the fourth quarter.
- How much of the growth came from AI-linked firms: the ONS says it is hard to measure exactly.
Quem é afetado
United Kingdom, Europe. Anyone holding pounds or UK stocks, or watching European interest rates
Fontes
- Office for National Statistics: GDP first quarterly estimate, UK: July to September 2026 12 de novembro de 2026 · oficial
- Reuters (via Fresno Bee): UK economy expands by most in 2-1/2 years in Q3 12 de novembro de 2026 · mídia
Capa: Gráfico de Freekonomist, uma imagem simbólica, não uma foto do evento. Este é um explicador de notícia, não recomendação financeira.
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