Confidence among business managers in Belgium's trade sector fell in February, according to the monthly business survey conducted by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB). The sector's business confidence indicator went from -14.2 in January to -24.2 this month.
Business confidence in the economy as a whole went up slightly, with the indicator moving from -13.5 last month to -12.8 in January.
Results vary greatly between fields of activity. The NBB attributes the sharp fall in the trade sector by the significant decline in demand expectations, which had increased significantly over the past two months. The outlook for orders from suppliers also declined, while the employment outlook improved.
Trade in motor vehicles and, even more so, trade in textiles have been particularly affected by the gloomy climate in February, the SNB notes.
The mood in construction is calmer, with the indicator rising by 0.8 points to -5.8, due to greater use of available equipment and more positive demand forecasts.
The business confidence indicator has also improved in manufacturing, where it stands at -14.8 (+1.9 points), due in particular to a more favourable assessment of the level of stocks.
