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 25, 2026 | — | 10.00 | — |
| Jul 31, 2026 | 0.00 | -45.00 | +45.00 |
| Jun 26, 2026 | -25.20 | -45.00 | +19.80 |
| May 29, 2026 | -35.80 | -27.00 | -8.80 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | -24.30 | 25.00 | -49.30 |
| Dec 19, 2025 | 29.70 | 32.00 | -2.30 |
| Sep 26, 2025 | 23.20 | 24.00 | -0.80 |
| Jul 1, 2025 | 28.80 | 21.00 | +7.80 |
| Apr 11, 2025 | 31.20 | 38.00 | -6.80 |
| Dec 19, 2024 | 44.50 | 32.00 | +12.50 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | 32.90 | 35.00 | -2.10 |
| Jul 1, 2024 | 32.10 | 36.00 | -3.90 |
| Apr 12, 2024 | 33.10 | 35.70 | -2.60 |
| Dec 15, 2023 | 35.90 | 34.00 | +1.90 |
| Sep 22, 2023 | 35.80 | — | — |
