Business investment in the United Kingdom moved back into positive territory in the second quarter of 2026, with the indicator rising to 0.8% year-over-year, according to data updated on 13 August 2026. This marks a notable improvement from the first quarter of 2026, when business investment declined by 1.3% compared with the same period a year earlier.
The data, which compare each quarter’s performance to the corresponding quarter a year before, suggest a tentative recovery in corporate spending after a period of contraction. The swing from negative to positive growth indicates that businesses may be regaining confidence, potentially resuming or expanding capital expenditures that had been curtailed at the start of the year.
While the pace of growth remains modest, the shift into positive territory could be seen as an early sign of stabilisation in the UK investment environment. Analysts and policymakers are likely to watch subsequent quarters closely to assess whether this rebound in business investment can be sustained and translate into broader economic momentum.
