• Lloyds flagged a sharp pullback in UK business confidence in September, down 12 points to 41%, a 17-month low.
• The reading remained above the long-term average of 30%, yet fell below the 12-month average of 47%.
• Economic optimism dropped 18 points to 31%, hit by higher energy costs tied to renewed Middle East tensions.
• Trading outlook weakened 8 points to 50%, with cost pressures and softer demand cited as key drags.
• Price pressures persisted, with 52% of firms expecting to raise prices over the next 12 months, up 1 point.

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 September 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.