The UK economy expanded in February, supported by broad-based growth across services and production, according to data from the Office for National Statistics on Thursday.
Gross domestic product rose 0.5% in the three months to February 2026, picking up from 0.3% growth in the three months to January and following flat growth in the three months to December.
The reading exceeded the FXStreet-cited consensus of a 0.3% increase.
The January figure was revised up from 0.2%, while December was revised down from 0.1%.
On a monthly basis, GDP grew 0.5% in February, accelerating from 0.1% growth in both January and December and coming in well above the FXStreet consensus for another 0.1% increase. January was revised up from originally reported no growth or decline.
Services output, the largest component of the economy, increased 0.5% in the three months to February, with gains driven by sectors including wholesale & retail trade and information & communication.
Production output rose 1.2% over the same period, supported by manufacturing and energy supply, while construction output fell 2.0%, extending recent declines.
In February alone, services and production both rose 0.5%, while construction rebounded with a 1.0% increase.
Separate figures showed mixed trade performance in February. Goods imports rose by £2.3 billion, or 4.7%, reflecting higher inflows from both EU and non-EU countries, while goods exports fell by £500 million, or 1.5%.
Exports to the US rose by £500 million, while imports from the country declined by £400 million.
Over the three months to February, the UK’s total trade deficit in goods and services narrowed by £300 million to £2.8 billion.
However, the goods deficit widened by £1.0 billion to £57.1 billion, offset by a £1.3 billion increase in the services surplus to £54.2 billion.
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