UK August CPI Hits 18-Month Low, Signaling Economic Relief

Key Points:

  • The UK August CPI rate dropped to 0.3%, lower than expected and the lowest in 18 months.
  • The annual CPI rate stood at 6.7%, below the anticipated 7.00%.
The UK August CPI rate dropped to 0.3%, below the expected 0.70%, marking the lowest level in 18 months. Annual rate at 6.7%, below the anticipated 7.00%.
Percentage
points & percent
Date0-10%10-25%25-40%40% plusEnergyCPI
2023 JAN1.361.802.700.753.4510.1
2023 FEB1.411.912.900.893.3110.4
2023 MAR1.381.892.930.992.8710.1
2023 APR1.761.882.931.120.968.7
2023 MAY1.751.923.071.170.788.7
2023 JUN1.721.892.891.100.358.0
2023 JUL1.791.962.650.95-0.526.8
2023 AUG1.791.772.390.82-0.116.7

The UK recently announced that the monthly CPI rate for August was 0.3%, lower than the expected 0.70%. Additionally, the annual rate stood at 6.7%, below the anticipated 7.00%. This unexpected drop marks the lowest level in 18 months, alleviating pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates further.

According to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the United Kingdom rose by 6.7% in August, showing a slowdown from the 6.8% increase in July. Market consensus had predicted a 7.1% rise.

UK August CPI Hits 18-Month Low, Signaling Economic Relief

Specifically, the Core CPI index, which excludes volatile food and energy items, increased by 6.2% year-on-year in August, compared to a 6.9% acceleration in July, falling short of the estimated 6.8% rate.

The Services CPI, reflecting the cost of services, rose by 6.8% year-on-year, slightly lower than July’s 7.4% surge. The ONS highlighted that food and accommodation services made the most significant contributions to the decrease in CPI rates.

Meanwhile, the UK Consumer Price Index rebounded with a 0.3% month-on-month increase in August, differing from the estimated 0.7% and the 0.4% decline recorded in July.

In contrast, the UK Retail Price Index (RPI) for August rose by 0.6% month-on-month and 9.1% year-on-year, both missing expectations.

DISCLAIMER: The Information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.

UK August CPI Hits 18-Month Low, Signaling Economic Relief

Key Points:

  • The UK August CPI rate dropped to 0.3%, lower than expected and the lowest in 18 months.
  • The annual CPI rate stood at 6.7%, below the anticipated 7.00%.
The UK August CPI rate dropped to 0.3%, below the expected 0.70%, marking the lowest level in 18 months. Annual rate at 6.7%, below the anticipated 7.00%.
Percentage
points & percent
Date0-10%10-25%25-40%40% plusEnergyCPI
2023 JAN1.361.802.700.753.4510.1
2023 FEB1.411.912.900.893.3110.4
2023 MAR1.381.892.930.992.8710.1
2023 APR1.761.882.931.120.968.7
2023 MAY1.751.923.071.170.788.7
2023 JUN1.721.892.891.100.358.0
2023 JUL1.791.962.650.95-0.526.8
2023 AUG1.791.772.390.82-0.116.7

The UK recently announced that the monthly CPI rate for August was 0.3%, lower than the expected 0.70%. Additionally, the annual rate stood at 6.7%, below the anticipated 7.00%. This unexpected drop marks the lowest level in 18 months, alleviating pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates further.

According to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the United Kingdom rose by 6.7% in August, showing a slowdown from the 6.8% increase in July. Market consensus had predicted a 7.1% rise.

UK August CPI Hits 18-Month Low, Signaling Economic Relief

Specifically, the Core CPI index, which excludes volatile food and energy items, increased by 6.2% year-on-year in August, compared to a 6.9% acceleration in July, falling short of the estimated 6.8% rate.

The Services CPI, reflecting the cost of services, rose by 6.8% year-on-year, slightly lower than July’s 7.4% surge. The ONS highlighted that food and accommodation services made the most significant contributions to the decrease in CPI rates.

Meanwhile, the UK Consumer Price Index rebounded with a 0.3% month-on-month increase in August, differing from the estimated 0.7% and the 0.4% decline recorded in July.

In contrast, the UK Retail Price Index (RPI) for August rose by 0.6% month-on-month and 9.1% year-on-year, both missing expectations.

DISCLAIMER: The Information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.