Lloyds Bank’s latest Business Barometer found that overall business confidence rose significantly in July to equal the highest level in confidence shown by businesses for eight years.
Business confidence in the UK increased by 9 points “to 50% this month, reversing the drop in June and equaling the eight-year high seen in May.”
Underpinning July’s strong result was an improved outlook “for trading prospects and economic optimism. 62% of businesses reported stronger activity – up from 53% in June – while 6% predicted weaker trading prospects – down from 9%.”
The resulting net balance “increased 12 points to 56%, which, for the trading prospects data specifically, is a level last exceeded in April 2017 (a seven-year high).”
Wider economic optimism also rebounded “as 62% of respondents – up from 55% in June – felt more positively about the economy while another 17% – up from 16% – felt more negatively.”
Similarly, staffing expectations also “increased in July.”
Over half of businesses “surveyed (53%) said they planned to expand their workforce, while 14% expected a lower headcount.”
This meant the net balance rose “by 7 points to 39% to equal May’s result – the joint highest level since March 2017.”
However, expectations for wage growth were mixed. While the number of businesses expecting to offer employees pay rises “of 3% or more increased to 30% (up from 28% in June), this was below May’s level of 37%.”
Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking said:
“This month shows that businesses are feeling more confident, buoyed by their positive trading prospects and economic outlook. Retail-focused businesses were the main driving force behind the positive rise in trading prospects and these results tally with the improvement we have seen in consumer confidence. With the data suggesting that businesses may have taken a more cautious approach in June, next month will be one to watch to see if the renewed sense of optimism continues.”
Firms’ own price expectations rose “by 4 points to 57% but remained below May’s 61%. 60% of businesses planned to increase their prices, while 3% intend to lower them.”
There was an improvement “across all sector categories this month – most notably in retail which rose by 25 points to a post-pandemic high of 60%.”
There were also significant gains “in manufacturing trading prospects, with the net balance increasing by 9 points to a two-year high.”
Services rose 10 points to 56%, “while construction saw a more modest increase by 2 points to 44%.”
Paul Gordon, Managing Director for Relationship Management, Lloyds Bank Business & Commercial said:
“We’ve seen business confidence rebound in July, returning to the level we saw in May. Businesses may be feeling more resilient about their prospects which in the long term can help drive innovation and create jobs across the sectors. In retail, we’ve seen the highest level of confidence since the pandemic, which is a positive sign for a sector that has faced several challenges in recent years. We are committed to supporting UK businesses, whatever their confidence levels, providing the resources and guidance they need to thrive and grow.”
Nine of the UK’s 12 regions and nations “reported stronger business confidence in July.”
There were strong monthly increases “in the East Midlands and Wales, followed by the East of England and South East, where confidence in these areas are at post-pandemic highs.”
Confidence fell in the South-West, Yorkshire & the Humber and the North West.
