Belgium: Economic sentiment deteriorates in June
The consumer confidence indicator produced by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) fell 2 points in June to minus 7 points. June’s downtick was attributable mainly to deteriorating macroeconomic prospects in the aftermath of the 26 May federal election, which also stoked consumers’ anxieties over unemployment. Consumers’ views of their personal finances improved modestly, however.
Meanwhile, the NBB’s business confidence indicator fell in June to minus 4.9 points from minus 3.6 points in May, marking the third consecutive monthly deterioration of the index. Loss of confidence across the construction-, business and manufacturing-related industries drove the downturn.