Belgium: Economic sentiment deteriorates in September
The consumer confidence indicator produced by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) fell 2 points in September to minus 11, a near three-year low. September’s decrease reflected deteriorating macroeconomic prospects, amid protracted difficulties to form a national government, and growing anxieties over unemployment over the next 12-months and a worsening financial situation for households.
Meanwhile, the NBB’s business confidence indicator inched up in September to minus 5.7 points from minus 5.8 points in August. Loss of confidence across the trade- and manufacturing-related industries drove the monthly result.