Business Confidence is an economic indicator based on surveys of business leaders regarding their outlook on the economy and their own company's performance. It covers critical aspects such as production levels, new orders, and employment intentions for the coming months. High business confidence is a leading indicator, as it often precedes increased capital expenditure and hiring, signaling future economic expansion.
The indicator is typically based on a diffusion index derived from surveys where respondents rate the relative level of business conditions. A reading above a certain threshold (like 50 or 0) indicates optimism, while a reading below indicates pessimism.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 24, 2026 | — | -13.00 | — |
| Aug 25, 2026 | -13.20 | -10.50 | -2.70 |
| Jul 24, 2026 | -11.90 | -10.20 | -1.70 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | -12.40 | -12.00 | -0.40 |
| May 22, 2026 | -13.30 | -13.50 | +0.20 |
| Apr 24, 2026 | -14.20 | -14.80 | +0.60 |
| Mar 25, 2026 | -13.70 | -14.10 | +0.40 |
| Jan 26, 2026 | -8.80 | -10.20 | +1.40 |
| Dec 19, 2025 | -11.90 | -7.80 | -4.10 |
| Oct 24, 2025 | -9.10 | -7.80 | -1.30 |
| Jun 24, 2025 | -10.10 | -13.10 | +3.00 |
| Apr 24, 2025 | -14.70 | -15.90 | +1.20 |
| Mar 25, 2025 | -15.10 | -11.40 | -3.70 |
| Jan 27, 2025 | -13.60 | -10.30 | -3.30 |
| Dec 20, 2024 | -13.80 | -11.70 | -2.10 |
| Nov 25, 2024 | -11.10 | -12.20 | +1.10 |
| Oct 25, 2024 | -12.80 | -12.50 | -0.30 |
| Sep 24, 2024 | -13.30 | -12.50 | -0.80 |
| Aug 26, 2024 | -12.60 | -11.20 | -1.40 |
| Jul 25, 2024 | -12.30 | -11.00 | -1.30 |
| Jun 24, 2024 | -11.10 | -10.20 | -0.90 |
| May 27, 2024 | -11.00 | -10.20 | -0.80 |
| Apr 24, 2024 | -11.90 | -9.60 | -2.30 |
| Mar 22, 2024 | -10.40 | -11.00 | +0.60 |
| Feb 23, 2024 | -12.80 | -13.80 | +1.00 |
| Jan 25, 2024 | -16.40 | -11.00 | -5.40 |
| Dec 22, 2023 | -12.70 | -13.80 | +1.10 |
| Nov 24, 2023 | -15.00 | -15.00 | 0.00 |
| Oct 25, 2023 | -16.80 | -14.70 | -2.10 |
| Sep 25, 2023 | -14.40 | -10.30 | -4.10 |
| Aug 25, 2023 | -14.90 | -13.50 | -1.40 |
| Jul 25, 2023 | -14.80 | — | — |
| Jun 23, 2023 | -12.10 | 10.10 | -22.20 |
| May 24, 2023 | -9.20 | -6.00 | -3.20 |
| Apr 24, 2023 | -7.80 | -5.80 | -2.00 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | -7.60 | — | — |
| Feb 22, 2023 | -12.80 | — | — |
| Jan 25, 2023 | -13.50 | — | — |
| Dec 23, 2022 | -13.60 | — | — |
| Nov 24, 2022 | -16.60 | — | — |
| Oct 25, 2022 | -15.50 | — | — |
| Sep 26, 2022 | -11.80 | -8.30 | -3.50 |
| Aug 25, 2022 | -5.80 | — | — |
| Jul 25, 2022 | -2.80 | — | — |
| Jun 24, 2022 | -1.80 | — | — |
| May 23, 2022 | 1.80 | — | — |
| Apr 25, 2022 | 2.40 | — | — |
| Mar 25, 2022 | 0.40 | — | — |
| Feb 22, 2022 | 2.30 | — | — |
| Jan 25, 2022 | 2.70 | 4.20 | -1.50 |
| Dec 23, 2021 | 3.60 | — | — |
