Belgium: Consumer sentiment remains pessimistic in January
The consumer confidence indicator produced by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) came in at minus 2.0 in January, following December’s minus 4.0 result. Although January’s reading registered a slight improvement, it nevertheless remained in negative territory and below the 0-threshold that separates optimism from pessimism among consumers. Households’ views on the economic situation in the country for the next year remained downbeat in January amid a surge in Covid-19 cases, although it rose somewhat from the prior month’s record low. Moreover, their views on their future financial situation similarly swung into pessimistic territory. Lastly, expectations of unemployment in the country deteriorated slightly over the previous month.