Belgium Business Confidence Falls in September
September 24 2021 - 11:05PM
Dow Jones News
By Maria Martinez
Business sentiment in Belgium declined in September for the
second consecutive month, after reaching a record high level in
July.
Business confidence fell to 4.0 in September from 7.6 in August,
data from the National Bank of Belgium showed Friday. July's
reading of 10.1 was the highest since the indicator in its current
composition was introduced in 1980.
Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected the
indicator to come in at 6.8.
The business climate declined in services and manufacturing,
while it rose in trade and in construction, the report shows.
The sharpest fall was in services, with a decline to 8.0 in
September from 16.4 in August. Entrepreneurs in this sector have a
less optimistic view on their business activity, both current and
future, the report said.
In the manufacturing industry, business sentiment fell to 3.0 in
September from 7.2 in August. Business confidence varies according
to the branch of activity, but in general companies reported a less
favorable assessment of their order books and stock levels. They
also have more reservations about demand forecasts, the report
said.
Business sentiment is up marginally in construction, rising to
4.5 from 3.7 the previous month. Company managers are more upbeat
about the number of new orders received and have given a more
positive appraisal of their total order books. However, they
mentioned less intensive use of equipment and weaker demand
prospects.
Trade recorded the sharpest rise, from minus 1.1 in August to
2.2 in September, driven by better demand forecasts and, to a
lesser extent, employment.
Write to Maria Martinez at maria.martinez@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 24, 2021 22:50 ET (02:50 GMT)
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