Business Confidence stories

Australian SMEs show growing confidence into 2026, with rising revenue and increased digital adoption helping them tackle soaring energy costs and economic challenges.

Small businesses in the UK and Ireland face confusion and lack confidence in adopting AI, citing skills gaps and need for clearer guidance, research reveals.

UK Budget 2026 sparks concern in tech and construction over investment, tax changes, and public spending’s impact on growth and business confidence.

Multinational US firms outperform domestic companies by 16% amid dollar volatility, but domestic businesses eye growth as interest rates fall and investment rises.

CPiO appoints Duncan Boyne as Power BI Lead to enhance data strategy and analytics for UK SMEs amid economic uncertainty and operational challenges.

UK fintech founders embrace AI, with 83% adopting it, despite 81% losing confidence in the economy and nearly half considering relocating abroad due to tax concerns.

Despite rising costs and softening profits, 92% of New Zealand's SMEs remain confident in their business outlook over the next year and five years ahead.

Duality Technologies partners with Google Cloud to deliver confidential AI using NVIDIA GPUs, enabling secure, scalable large language model training for enterprises.

The Visual Media Association has launched its 2025 survey to benchmark Australia’s AUD $15bn print, sign, packaging and visual media sector amid key government reviews.

NZ small businesses saw 1.9% sales growth year-on-year, but jobs fell 1.2%, with sectors like construction and hospitality facing ongoing challenges.

UK electronics firms are boosting stock and purchase orders ahead of Q4, responding to longer lead times and aiming to meet demand during key retail periods.

Job ads in New Zealand rose 0.6% in July, marking a spring recruitment surge as tourism and IT sectors prepare for a busy summer season.

UK firms are boosting AI investment and upskilling plans, with 42% hiring for AI roles amid inflation and rising energy costs, says Barclays survey.

Searches for “PR Agency Auckland” hit a five-year peak, signalling strong growth as Kiwi tech firms boost funding, launches, and international expansion.

A VML study reveals UK business leaders face growing confusion and reduced confidence as digital transformation complexity stalls progress and staff morale.

Confidence in New Zealand's civil construction sector has fallen sharply despite a USD $207 billion infrastructure pipeline and growing tech adoption.

London SMEs lead in digital support and funding access, while nearly three-quarters of regional firms lack involvement in mentoring and digital initiatives.

Australian businesses in 2025 will focus on new hires, staff upskilling, and office upgrades, favouring low-cost, high-impact investments amid tight profit margins.

UK SME leaders show cautious optimism with a slight confidence rise, yet worry over AI adoption, Brexit competitiveness, and EU market expansion in 2025.

UK manufacturing SMEs could boost GDP by GBP £83bn if they scale, but face barriers like outdated planning and funding access, says new report.