Belgian entrepreneurs are slightly less gloomy about the economic situation, according to the National Bank’s monthly survey.
Business confidence had seen a sustained decline since May of this year, but that changed this month: the indicator measuring the confidence entrepreneurs have in the economy rose from -16.6 in November to -13.6 in December.
The improvement can be seen across the board but is greatest in the trade sector (from -25.4 to -13.3). Companies there are more positive about the demand outlook and expect to order more from their suppliers.
In manufacturing, firms are more satisfied with their inventory levels and orders, and more positive about employment. However, they feel the demand outlook, after improving sharply last month, has deteriorated again.
Companies involved in business services say they are running better and are also more optimistic about their activity outlook.
In the construction sector, business leaders' sentiments have remained quite stable, even though their outlook on demand has declined somewhat.
