UK business optimism jumps as year-long slump ends

Sentiment in Britain’s business and professional services sector became markedly less negative in the current quarter, ending more than a year of declines, but consumer-facing businesses remain downbeat, a survey showed on Thursday.

The Confederation of British Industry’s quarterly services sector survey showed that optimism for business and professional services businesses jumped to -3 in February from -50 in November, its highest reading since August 2024.

By contrast, optimism...