[REVISION HISTORY]

US and Australian economic sentiment decline

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-08 10:32 UTC → 2026-09-08 14:13 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Economic sentiment among businesses and lenders in the United States has shown signs of weakening and caution. In early September 2026, surveys indicated that US lenders were becoming increasingly wary due to geopolitical instability, recession risks, and policy uncertainty. While some optimism regarding the US economy saw a slight rebound, business executives began moderating their spending and adopting more disciplined approaches to capital investments and expansion. By mid-September, further data reflected a decline in sentiment. In the United States, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell to 98.7, dropping below previous readings and economist forecasts. This trend of weakening sentiment was also observed in Australia, where the NAB Business Conditions Index entered negative territory for the first time in six years, driven largely by a significant squeeze on profitability. Additional data from early September highlighted a decline in the US CEO Confidence Index. In September, CEOs rated current business conditions at 5.6 out of 10, representing a 6 percent drop from August. This decline was attributed to increased caution, with some leaders citing the impact of Middle East conflicts on consumer spending. While the 12-month outlook remained slightly more optimistic than current assessments, middle-market companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $24.9 million expressed higher levels of concern regarding future deterioration.

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