Australia’s NAB Business Confidence Index rose to -14 in May from -24 in the prior month, marking its highest print since February and signaling modest improvement from very weak levels. Confidence, however, remained firmly negative, underscoring concerns over the economic outlook. Business conditions held at 3, halting a four-month slide as activity stabilized despite softer demand. Profitability stayed the weakest component relative to long-run norms, reflecting margin strain from elevated costs. Cost growth eased but remained historically high, while capacity utilisation slipped below 82% for the first time since early 2025, pointing to softer momentum. NAB economist Michael Hayes noted sentiment was negative across industries amid global uncertainty, a weakening domestic backdrop, and persistent cost pressures. Firms also face high borrowing costs after the central bank lifted rates to 4.35% to curb sticky inflation and prevent rising energy costs from feeding into consumer prices. source: National Australia Bank
Business Confidence in Australia increased to -14 points in May from -23 points in April of 2026. Business Confidence in Australia averaged 4.60 points from 1997 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 23.00 points in October of 2021 and a record low of -68.00 points in March of 2020. This page provides - Australia Business Confidence - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Australia Business Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.
Business Confidence in Australia increased to -14 points in May from -23 points in April of 2026. Business Confidence in Australia is expected to be -16.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Australia Business Confidence is projected to trend around -6.00 points in 2027 and 4.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.