Biz Confidence Hits Record Peak Amid IMF Progress 📈

• The LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI) surged to an all-time record high of 212 in October 2025. • This marks a significant MoM jump of 17 basis points from 195 in September, and is sharply up from 139 recorded in October last year. The BCI is now 87 points above its historic median (125). • Drivers: The upswing is attributed primarily to government efforts to ease public pressure through relief measures and positive media narratives projecting greater stability. • Economic Context: IMF and local authorities reached a staff-level agreement following the fifth review of the ~$US 3 Bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. • Warnings: While economic gains were commended, both the IMF and World Bank caution that reform momentum must be maintained. The recovery remains incomplete, with growth still below pre-crisis levels and poverty persistently high. • Concerns remain that this record peak may be unsustainable in the medium term, given that the previous peak was short-lived and domestic political uncertainty persists.