Business

Welsh business confidence falls shows new Lloyds research

Published

2 weeks ago

29 May 2026

NewsAdmin

Business confidence in Wales declined in May while being up slightly for the UK as a whole

Lloyds has released its latest business barometer for Wales.(Image: PA)

Business confidence in Wales has fallen compared to a slight rise for the UK as a whole, shows latest research from Lloyds.

According to the bank’s business barometer for May, companies in Wales reported lower confidence in their own trading outlook month-on-month, down 11 points at 35%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 19 points to 11%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 23% – compared to 38% in April.

Since May last year Wales has had an average overall business confidence of 42% with its highest level of 76% in July last year and its lowest of 17% in November.

Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training (45%), investing in sustainability (38%), and introducing new technology such as AI and automation (33%).

Overall, UK business confidence rose three points in May to 47%. Business confidence rose across seven of the 12 UK regions and nations in May, and decreased in four. Northern Ireland saw notable gains with north east and west Midlands being the most confident regions.

Nathan Morgan, area director for Wales at Lloyds, said: “Confidence may have fallen this month, but with summer drawing near, many businesses across Wales will be about to enter their peak season. They’re doing so with clear priorities to invest in their teams, new technology or sustainability measures, and we’ll be there to support their ambitions.”

Amanda Murphy, chief executive of Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking said: “Business confidence edged up modestly in May, suggesting firms are beginning to steady after April’s decline. This month, confidence levels from businesses in the north east particularly stands out. It’s also reassuring to see that increased confidence from the construction sector has brought them more in line with their retail, services and manufacturing counterparts.

“Across the UK, each region and nation presents unique opportunities and drivers of growth. We’ve seen first-hand what the right financial support and advice can do for ambitious businesses and are keen to continue supporting our customers as they grow – helping Britain prosper.”

Business

Roku exploring strategic options, including sale of company, sources say

Published

1 second ago

13 June 2026

NewsAdmin

Roku exploring strategic options, including sale of company, sources say

Business

ASML: The Rally May Be Overdone

Published

7 minutes ago

13 June 2026

NewsAdmin

ASML: The Rally May Be Overdone

Business

Zuckerberg admits Meta has ‘made mistakes’ in AI workforce overhaul: report

Published

13 minutes ago

13 June 2026

NewsAdmin

Zuckerberg links Meta layoffs to AI spending, won't rule out more cuts

Meta President Dina Powell McCormick and CEO of mikeroweWORKS Foundation Mike Rowe join ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss a new $115 million workforce initiative offering free training and guaranteed skilled-trade jobs.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged Friday that the company has “made mistakes” as it undergoes a sweeping workforce overhaul tied to its aggressive push into artificial intelligence (AI).

Zuckerberg made the remarks in an internal memo to employees, according to Reuters, which reported that the Meta chief warned of challenges associated with the rapid development of AI technology.

Meta has poured billions of dollars into AI infrastructure and tools as it competes with OpenAI, Google and Microsoft for dominance in the emerging technology.

The company has also explored ways to use AI agents to perform tasks currently handled by employees.

MARK ZUCKERBERG SAYS META HAS ‘MADE MISTAKES’ DURING ITS AI-DRIVEN WORKFORCE OVERHAUL, WARNING OF CHALLENGES TIED TO THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company has “made mistakes” as it restructures its workforce around artificial intelligence. (Alex Wong/Getty Images / Getty Images)

“Given the complexity of these changes, we’ve made mistakes and will almost certainly make more,” Zuckerberg said.

He added that he is “focused on providing as much stability as possible” as the company continues to reshape its workforce.

“I don’t want to overpromise because the world is changing in ways that are out of our control,” Zuckerberg said.

META LAUNCHES $115M SKILLED TRADES ACADEMY WITH GUARANTEED JOBS FOR GRADUATES IN 4 STATES

Meta has invested billions of dollars in artificial intelligence as it seeks to compete with OpenAI, Google and Microsoft. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

He also reiterated that Meta does not expect any additional company-wide layoffs this year.

The comments come after Meta laid off roughly 10% of its global workforce in May and reassigned approximately 7,000 employees to AI-focused initiatives.

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
META	META PLATFORMS INC.	566.98	-1.45	-0.26%

Zuckerberg reportedly said the company will attempt to find new positions for employees reassigned to train AI models.

AMERICA CAN’T COMPETE WITH CHINA IN AI WITHOUT THESE WORKERS, META’S PRESIDENT SAYS

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg listens during a White House dinner.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., during a dinner with tech leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Sept. 4, 2025. (Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg/Getty Images, File / Getty Images)

Published

49 minutes ago

13 June 2026

NewsAdmin

Frozen pizza snack recalled in 21 states over possible metal pieces

‘Barron’s Roundtable’ panelists break down the Magnificent Seven and other stocks gaining traction.

Thousands of cases of a frozen pizza snack sold in 21 states are being recalled because they may contain metal pieces.

Rich Products Corp. voluntarily issued the recall of 6,408 cases or more than 160,000 pounds of its Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The pizza was sold in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

FORD RECALLS MORE THAN 255,000 VEHICLES OVER ENGINE STALL RISK

Thousands of cases of a frozen pizza snack sold in 21 states are being recalled because it may contain metal pieces. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The recall was initiated by the New York-based company on May 19.

The product has a best-by date of July 7, 2027, with a UPC code of 041322652256 and a lot number of 003029976.

MORE THAN 17K COFFEE MAKERS RECALLED AFTER DOZENS OF REPORTED BURN INJURIES.

The FDA classified the recall as a Class II health risk, which means the defect could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems.

The agency didn’t specify if any injuries had been reported or how the possible contamination was discovered.

Rich Products Corp. voluntarily issued the recall of 6,408 cases or more than 160,000 pounds of its Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (farmrich.com / Unknown)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The recall comes weeks after another frozen pizza recall over salmonella concerns.

WHITE OAK, MD – JULY 20: A sign for the Food And Drug Administration is seen outside of the headquarters on July 20, 2020, in White Oak, Maryland. ((Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images) / AP Newsroom)

The pizzas, which spanned several brands, had been sold at Walmart and Aldi.