The CBI Business Optimism Index measures the sentiment of manufacturing executives in the United Kingdom regarding their overall business situation. It is part of the Industrial Trends Survey and reflects whether business leaders are more or less optimistic than they were three months ago. This index is a critical leading indicator for future industrial production, business investment, and employment trends within the UK manufacturing sector. High levels of optimism often precede periods of economic expansion and increased capital expenditure.
The index is derived from a quarterly survey of manufacturing firms. It is calculated by subtracting the percentage of respondents who say they are less optimistic from the percentage who say they are more optimistic.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 2026 | -36.00 | -40.00 | +4.00 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | -65.00 | -23.00 | -42.00 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | -19.00 | -27.00 | +8.00 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | -31.00 | -29.00 | -2.00 |
| Jul 24, 2025 | -27.00 | -31.00 | +4.00 |
| Apr 24, 2025 | -33.00 | -40.00 | +7.00 |
| Jan 23, 2025 | -47.00 | -30.00 | -17.00 |
| Oct 24, 2024 | -24.00 | -3.00 | -21.00 |
| Jul 25, 2024 | -9.00 | 15.00 | -24.00 |
| Apr 24, 2024 | 9.00 | 2.00 | +7.00 |
| Jan 24, 2024 | -3.00 | -2.00 | -1.00 |
| Oct 24, 2023 | -15.00 | 7.00 | -22.00 |
| Jul 25, 2023 | 6.00 | 5.00 | +1.00 |
| Apr 25, 2023 | -2.00 | -15.00 | +13.00 |
| Jan 24, 2023 | -5.00 | -60.00 | +55.00 |
| Oct 25, 2022 | -48.00 | -40.00 | -8.00 |
| Jul 25, 2022 | -21.00 | -45.00 | +24.00 |
| Apr 25, 2022 | -34.00 | -23.00 | -11.00 |
| Jan 25, 2022 | -9.00 | 5.00 | -14.00 |
| Oct 21, 2021 | 2.00 | 15.00 | -13.00 |
