All the latest business and economics news, as a new survey shows business optimism fell sharply in OctoberMarkit: Business confidence now lowest since 2009 8.11am GMT A range of threats have combined to drive global business confidence down to a five-year low.The firms surveyed by Markit cited: “fears of a worsening global economic climate, and notably a renewed downturn in the Eurozone, the prospect of higher interest rates in countries such as the UK and US next year, geopolitical risk emanating from crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, plus growing political uncertainty in many countries, notably the US, UK and Japan.” 8.02am GMT Global business confidence has plunged to its lowest level in at least five years, according to a new survey published this morning.Data firm Markit reports that optimism at companies across the world fell sharply in October.“Clouds are gathering over the global economic outlook, presenting the darkest picture seen since the global financial crisis.