INSTANT VIEW: July industrial output weaker than expected

LONDON (Reuters) - Manufacturing output fell a sharper than expected 0.2 percent in July, its fifth straight monthly fall marking the longest stretch of declines in seven years, official data showed on Tuesday.

Industrial output also fell more than expected in July because routine maintenance work lowered oil and gas extraction.

The figures are likely to add to the sense of gloom about the economy and reinforce expectations that the next move in interest rates will be down.

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KEY FIGURES

JLY JUNE F'CAST

Manufacturing %MM -0.2 -0.4 -0.1

Manufacturing %YY -1.4 -1.5 -1.1

Industrial %MM -0.4 -0.1 -0.1