UK business confidence hits highest since March, Lloyds says

LONDON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - ‌British businesses ​turned ​the most confident since March this month, bolstered by a rosier view of ‌the economy, according to a survey that echoes ⁠other signs of an improving outlook.

Lloyds, a bank, said ‌on Friday that its monthly ‌business confidence index had risen by 4 points in August to +53%, above its average +47% over ​the past 12 months.

"Overall, businesses are reporting stronger customer demand, greater optimism about the wider ⁠economy and growing confidence in their own trading outlook, all of ​which will be helping to support investment and growth plans," Amanda Murphy, chief executive ​of Lloyds Business and Commercial ‌Banking, said.

• Optimism about the wider economy rose 7 points to +49%, well above ⁠its 12-month average of +37%

• Businesses' own trading outlook rose 2 points to +58%, slightly above its 12-month average of +56%

• ⁠The percentage of firms planning to raise prices in ​the next 12 months fell to its lowest since 2022, dropping 3 percentage points to 51%

• S&P Global data last ‌week showed the fastest growth for British businesses in six months, adding ‌to other positive signs

• Lloyds data was based ⁠on an Ipsos survey ‌of 1,200 British ​companies with annual sales of at least £250,000 ($340,000)

($1 = 0.7363 pounds)

(Reporting by David MillikenEditing by William ‌Schomberg)

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