Belgium: Growth steady through year-end
Belgium’s economy grew 0.3% quarter-on-quarter and in seasonally-adjusted terms in the fourth quarter of last year (Q3 2018: +0.3% quarter-on-quarter s.a.), according to a first estimate released by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) on 30 January. The modest reading landed roughly in line with the broader Eurozone slowdown but fell just short of analysts’ expectations. On an annual basis, growth eased to 1.2% from 1.6% in the third quarter. Full-year growth, moreover, was estimated at 1.4%, down from 1.7% in 2017.
Comprehensive fourth-quarter national accounts will be released on 28 February.