Expatica news

Belgian consumer confidence stabilises

17 June 2005

BRUSSELS — Belgian consumer confidence stabilised in June after two months of heavy falls, the National Bank said on Friday.
 
The expectations families have regarding the economy, the unemployment rate and their financial situation remained unchanged in the past month compared with May.

Expectations regarding savings are somewhat more positive, newspaper ‘Het Laatste Nieuws’ reported.

Consumer confidence hit its lowest point in May since October 2003. In June, it remained at minus 11 points, the same as it was in May, but significantly lower than the minus 6 recorded in April.

The 12-month economic expectations of consumers slightly fell in June compared with May, but remained relatively stable at minus 16 compared with minus 15.

The long-term expectation regarding the jobless rate also remained relatively unchanged.

Family expectations about their personal financial situation for the coming 12 months rose from two points in May to three in June. Savings expectations moved from 11 to 13.

Consumer confidence is an important gauge of future consumption levels.

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news