Business Barometer National Bank of Belgium stabilized in September, at the level of the previous two months.
The business climate has improved markedly in the manufacturing industry. In other sectors of activity business confidence deteriorated.
Improvement was observed in the manufacturing sector, based on a more favorable assessment of the overall portfolio and, to a lesser extent, self employment and demand forecasts.
In the business services sector confidence weakened for the second month in a row. Prospects for the market demand continues to be weak, and the level of activity of the companies has been given much less positive ratings.
In the construction industry fall indicator is mainly attributable to a large reduction in portfolio.
Finally, unlike in the past month, retailers made a sharp downward revision of forecasts for orders placed with suppliers, and also they expect to decrease headcount.
