Belgium: Consumer confidence hits over 20-year high in June, business confidence hits all-time high
The consumer confidence indicator produced by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) came in at plus 8 in June, markedly jumping from May’s plus 4 reading, amid resuming activity. Most notably, households’ views on the economic situation in the country for the next year improved significantly. In addition, their expectations regarding employment and their personal financial situation improved for the same period.
NBB’s business confidence index rose to 9.8 in June from May’s 6.5. June’s result marked the strongest on record. The brighter outlook was observed across most sectors, with firms in manufacturing and business-related services leading the uptick, while firms in the trade sector grew less pessimistic. In contrast, sentiment ebbed among firms in the building industry, albeit remaining broadly upbeat.