British businesses turned more confident about the economic outlook earlier this month, reflecting a brief fall in energy prices after a ceasefire in the Iran war, a survey by Lloyds showed on Friday.
"July's rise in confidence appears to reflect a more stable global backdrop. With lower energy prices and reduced uncertainty helping to lift firms' view of the wider economy," said Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist at Lloyds commercial banking.
"If global conditions become more uncertain again, sentiment could react, particularly where firms are still managing cost pressures and competitive conditions."
($1 = 0.7473 pounds)
