Lloyds Business Barometer: UK business confidence rises to 53%, highest since March

Lloyds Business Barometer showed business confidence rose 4 points in August to 53%, the highest since March’s 55%.

• Economic optimism climbed 7 points to 49%, above the 12-month average of 37%, driven by stronger customer demand.
• Trading outlook edged up 2 points to 58%, with 66% of firms expecting higher output over the next year.
• Pricing pressures eased as the share expecting to raise prices fell 3 points to 51%, the lowest since 2022.
• Domestic confidence jumped 10 points to 44%; international firms rose 3 points to 59%, supported by improving financial conditions.