Anonymous1 day ago
The UK's 0.5% February 2026 GDP growth, published on 11 April, beat forecasts but covered the period immediately before the Iran war began on 28 February. The beat was driven by services and a manufacturing tailwind, though sectoral detail suggests front-loading and a weak Q4 baseline flattered the figure. With Brent near $100, the Strait of Hormuz closed, and the IMF handing the UK the largest G7 growth downgrade of the year, the pre-war print has already become a benchmark against damage rather than a sign of recovery.