The UK economy continued to expand in the third quarter of 2025, but the pace of growth slowed. Real GDP rose by 0.1 percent, a modest increase compared with the 0.3 percent recorded in the second quarter. However, the annual picture appears more positive, with GDP 1.3 percent higher than the same quarter in 2024, suggesting a gradual recovery over the longer term.

Sectoral performance shows an uneven pattern. Services grew by 0.2 percent and construction by 0.1 percent, providing the main support for quarterly growth. In contrast, the production sector contracted by 0.5 percent, signalling persistent challenges in manufacturing and energy-related activities. Despite overall economic expansion, real GDP per head did not grow, which implies that the benefits of economic improvement are not being felt evenly across the population.

Recent revisions to earlier data, including updates linked to UK trade and the improved measurement of precious metals, did not alter the headline GDP figures. However, small adjustments to the GDP deflator and current price estimates indicate refinement rather than structural change.

Overall, the third quarter reflects a cautiously improving economy, but one marked by uneven sectoral performance and limited gains in living standards. This latest update takes the RPI and RPI-P to minus 8, meaning that economic activities are within expectations of the UK economy.

Growth expected at a slower 0.2 percent on quarter in Q3 after rising 0.3 percent in Q2. The first half of 2026 got a little support from tariff frontloading.

Gross domestic product (GDP) is the broadest measure of aggregate economic activity and encompasses every sector of the economy. Since 2018, the first, or provisional, estimate includes the GDP expenditure components as well as data on the main output sectors. These results are updated in the second, and final, report.

GDP is the all-inclusive measure of economic activity. Investors need to closely track the economy because it usually dictates how investments will perform. Stock market Investors like to see healthy economic growth because robust business activity translates to higher corporate profits. The GDP report contains a treasure-trove of information which not only paints an image of the overall economy, but tells investors about important trends within the big picture. These data are readily comparable to other industrialized countries. GDP components such as consumer spending, business and residential investment, and price (inflation) indexes illuminate the economy's undercurrents, which can translate to investment opportunities and guidance in managing a portfolio.

Each financial market reacts differently to GDP data because of their focus. For example, equity market participants cheer healthy economic growth because it improves the corporate profit outlook while weak growth generally means anemic earnings. Equities generally drop on disappointing growth and climb on good growth prospects.

Bond or fixed income markets are contrarians. They prefer weak growth so that there is less of a chance of higher central bank interest rates and inflation. When GDP growth is poor or negative it indicates anemic or negative economic activity. Bond prices will rise and interest rates will fall. When growth is positive and good, interest rates will be higher and bond prices lower.

Currency traders prefer healthy growth and higher interest rates. Both lead to increased demand for a local currency. However, inflationary pressures put pressure on a currency regardless of growth. For example, if the UK reports that the consumer price index has risen more than the Bank of England's 2 percent inflation target, demand for sterling could decline. Similarly, when the Bank of England lowers interest rates, the pound sterling weakens. (Currency traders also watch the interest rate spread between countries.)