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ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor

Q3: Business Confidence equals record breaking slump.

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National

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UK Business Confidence Monitor: National

  • Report
The latest national Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) shows that UK business confidence rebounded sharply in Q3 2026, but remained marginally negative as firms moderated their expectations for future sales and profits. The recovery was broad-based, yet weaker hiring, persistent cost pressures and geopolitical uncertainty point to a fragile rather than strong improvement.
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How the government can enable growth Confidence remains low as Iran war rages on Autumn budget 2026 About BCM and methodology

UK nations and regions

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Scotland

Q3 regional report will be available soon.

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Wales

Q3 regional report will be available soon.

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England

Nine regional reports offer insight into business confidence across England. Find out more about your region.

Sectors

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Construction

Q3 sectoral report will be available soon.

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Energy, Water & Mining

Q3 sectoral report will be available soon.

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Manufacturing & Engineering

Q3 sectoral report will be available soon.

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Retail & Wholesale

Q3 sectoral report will be available soon.

International economic updates

Economic Update: Mainland China and South-East Asia

  • Report
The 2025 Q2 Economic Insight Report provides an analysis of the current trends and challenges facing the economies of China, Malaysia, and Singapore. China’s growth outlook is buffeted by the heightened trade tensions with the US, that could worsen existing domestic challenges and further push out the long-drawn property sector adjustment.
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A paper sculpture resembling the Great Wall of China, folded from sheets printed with economic graphs and trend lines, symbolising China’s economy and market volatility.

Economic Update: Middle East

  • Report
The ICAEW Economic Update: Middle East, is a quarterly economic forecast for the region prepared directly for the finance profession.
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