Belgium Business Confidence Reaches All-Time High in June
June 24 2021 - 9:33AM
Dow Jones News
By Xavier Fontdegloria
Business sentiment in Belgium increased in June for the seventh
consecutive month, reaching a record high amid the continued easing
of Covid-19 restrictions.
Business confidence rose to 9.8 in June from 6.5 in May, data
from the National Bank of Belgium showed Thursday. The reading,
which is the highest since the indicator got its current
composition in 1980, beat the forecast of 8.0 from economists
polled by the Wall Street Journal.
Business climate improved in all sectors surveyed except for the
construction industry, the National Bank said.
Sentiment grew the most among goods producers and services
providers. For manufacturing, the index increased to 8.8 from 3.9
the previous month, as company managers gave a more positive
assessment of the current level of order books and stocks, and
prospects for employment and demand strengthened.
For services, the upturn to 18.7 in June from 14.8 in May was
reflected in all components.
In the trade sector, the indicator rose to minus 3.5 from minus
6.5 the prior month, mainly as a result of an upward revision in
employment forecasts.
Sentiment fell in the construction sector, however, declining to
9.3 from 9.7 due to lower use of equipment and worsening
expectations for demand, the report said.
Write to Xavier Fontdegloria at xavier.fontdegloria@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 24, 2021 09:29 ET (13:29 GMT)
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