Belgium: Economic sentiment improves in October
The consumer confidence indicator produced by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) rose 3 points in October to minus 8, following two consecutive monthly declines. October’s increase reflected improving macroeconomic prospects, despite protracted difficulties to form a national government, and lower concerns over unemployment over the next 12-months, as well as a better financial situation for households.
Meanwhile, the NBB’s business confidence indicator rose in October to minus 4.6 points from minus 5.7 points in September. Growing confidence across the trade-, manufacturing- and business-related services drove the monthly result.