24.04.202613:40:00UTC+00Belgium Business Pessimism Deepens

Belgium’s business confidence indicator fell to -14.2 points in April 2026, down from -13.7 points in both February and January, marking its weakest level in a year. Contrary to market expectations of a modest improvement, sentiment deteriorated across most sectors. Confidence in the construction sector slipped to -15.7 from -11.7, reflecting slightly softer order books alongside a sharp rise in price expectations. In business services, sentiment extended its downward trajectory (-11.6 versus -6.3) as demand expectations weakened. Trade confidence also declined (-14.8 versus -10.9), weighed down by a poorer assessment of stock levels and mounting price pressures. By contrast, manufacturing confidence improved slightly (-14.4 versus -16.1), supported by better stock evaluations and a more favorable trend in domestic orders.