UK GDP contracted −0.1% in April, reversing March's +0.3% gain. A Reuters poll finds 25 economists leaning toward Bank of England hikes versus just 6 expecting cuts. A DMO auction cleared at 4.419%, 18 basis points above the prior sale; the market doesn't think the rate ceiling is in.
Reuters survey lifts UK 2026 GDP growth forecast to 1.0 percent from 0.8 percent while raising inflation expectations to 3.3 percent, consistent with steady BoE rate pricing. Source
