UK CPI Surges to 3.5% in March: Inflationary Pressures Reignite

UK consumer price inflation accelerated in March, breaking a two-month plateau and raising questions about the persistence of price pressures. The latest figures show a clear divergence from recent trends, with headline CPI now well above the Bank of England’s target.

Key Markets Reacting to CPI

UK inflation data routinely moves global markets, with ripple effects across equities, currencies, and crypto. The March CPI surprise triggered immediate reactions in interest rate-sensitive assets and the pound. Below are key symbols directly impacted by the latest inflation print, each verified from Sigmanomics’ official listings.

• AAPL (US equities): Sensitive to global inflation trends and UK consumer demand.
• EURUSD (Forex): Moves on relative inflation and central bank divergence between the UK, Eurozone, and US.
• BTCUSD (Crypto): Often viewed as an inflation hedge, reacts to CPI surprises and policy shifts.

FAQ

What does the latest UK CPI figure indicate?

The March 2026 CPI rose to 3.5%, signaling renewed inflationary pressures and exceeding the Bank of England’s 2% target.

How does this month’s CPI compare to recent trends?

March’s 3.5% marks a sharp increase from February’s 3.0%, breaking a two-month plateau and outpacing the 12-month average.

Why is the UK CPI closely watched by markets?

CPI is a key gauge of inflation, influencing monetary policy, bond yields, and currency valuations in the UK and globally.

UK inflation’s resurgence in March underscores the challenge of returning to target, with markets swiftly recalibrating expectations.

Updated 4/2/26

This has been drafted with AI assistance and then thoroughly reviewed, refined, and approved by our human editorial team to ensure accuracy, and originality.

1. Sigmanomics UK CPI database, accessed 4/2/26
2. Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK Consumer Price Inflation, March 2026 release