Belgium business confidence rises to highest level of 2026 in July
Belgium’s business confidence indicator improved for a third straight month in July, led by a rebound in construction and stronger business-related services, though the reading still missed market expectations.
Belgium’s business confidence indicator rose to -11.9 in July 2026 from -12.4 in June, marking its highest reading since the start of the year and a third consecutive monthly improvement. The increase fell short of market expectations of -10.2. The strongest improvement came from construction, where confidence rebounded to -3.0 from -12.0. Sentiment also edged higher in manufacturing, to -15.5 from -15.7, and strengthened notably in business-related services, rising to -3.8 from -7.4. Trade was the main weak spot, with confidence deteriorating further to -10.8 from -9.3 amid weaker activity in textiles and in electrical and electronic appliances. Within construction, sentiment remained weak in building completion and finishing, falling to -13.4 from -4.3, and in structural building work, which slipped to -5.0 from -4.2.
- business confidence indicator: A survey-based gauge of how companies assess current conditions and near-term prospects.
- business-related services: Service-sector activities provided mainly to other companies, such as professional or operational support services.