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.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Lloyds Banking Group plc published the original content used to generate this news brief on August 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.