- UK CPI rises by 3.1% YoY in September vs. +3.2% expected.
- Monthly UK CPI arrives at 0.3% in September vs. +0.4% expected.
- GBP/USD holds steady around 1.3800 on downbeat UK CPIs.
The UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 12-month rate came in at +3.1% in September when compared to +3.2% recorded in August while missing expectations of a +3.2% print, the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the core inflation gauge (excluding volatile food and energy items) fell to 2.9% YoY last month versus 3.1% registered in August, falling short of the consensus forecast of 3.0%.
The monthly figures showed that the UK consumer prices arrived at 0.3% in September vs. 0.4% expectations and 0.7% prior.
Main points (via ONS):
The largest upward contribution to the September 2021 CPIH 12-month inflation rate came from transport (0.91 percentage points).
Restaurants and hotels made the largest downward contribution to the change in the CPIH.
FX implications:
In an initial reaction to the downbeat UK CPI numbers, the GBP/USD pair eased a few pips below 1.3800.
The spot was last seen trading at 1.3802, up 0.05% on the day.