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Investment funds enjoy robust growth, driven mainly by positive valuation effects.
During the first quarter of 2024, shares issued by Belgian funds markedly increased in value, reaching €244.7 billion. Belgian households invested relatively more in shares issued by domestic funds (76% of purchases) than by foreign funds.
Business confidence falls in July
After several months of near stability, the business confidence indicator dropped to a level close to that recorded in February. Confidence in the business climate worsened in the manufacturing industry and in business-related services, while the building industry grew slightly more optimistic.
Consumer confidence weakens in July
Fears of a rise in unemployment over the next twelve months have sharply intensified. Households are less optimistic about their savings intentions over the coming twelve months.
Monetary policy decisions
The Governing Council today decided to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. The incoming information broadly supports the Governing Council’s previous assessment of the medium-term inflation outlook.
Belgian trade continues its lacklustre performance, while value of food imports grows markedly
Traditionally strong-performing sectors such as chemicals/pharmaceuticals, transport equipment, metals and machinery reported strongly negative growth rates for the past three months. Only the foodstuffs sector has a positive import growth rate.
Belgian household wealth rose in the first quarter of 2024
The net financial wealth of Belgian households increased by €26.5 billion to €1218.1 billion.
New blog article: Monetary plumbing
Although it received little media attention, the ECB’s decision to adjust its operational framework for implementing monetary policy will bring about fundamental changes.
Europe reaches milestone in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing
With its new package of anti-money laundering legislation, Europe is stepping up the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Find out all about this new set of rules in a blog post by AML experts Dries Cools and Kurt Van Raemdonck.
Financial market infrastructures and payment services report: how do the financial institutions supervised by the NBB manage different types of risk?
In its capacity as a supervisor of the financial system, the Bank publishes an annual report on the latest developments concerning financial market infrastructures, payment institutions, and critical service providers based in Belgium.
- 29 July 2024 11:00
Press release - NAI - Flash estimate (2024-II)
- 16 August 2024 11:00
Foreign Trade Statistics - Monthly Bulletin (F-N) (2024-05)
- 16 August 2024 11:00
Press release - Foreign Trade Statistics (F-N) (2024-05)
- 22 August 2024 11:00
Press release - Consumer confidence indicator (2024-08)
- 26 August 2024 15:00
Press release - Business confidence indicator (2024-08)
- 30 August 2024 11:00
Press release - NAI - Quarterly aggregates (2024-II)
- 16 September 2024 11:00
Press release - Foreign Trade Statistics (F-N) (2024-06)
- 16 September 2024 11:00
Foreign Trade Statistics - Monthly Bulletin (F-N) (2024-06)
- 20 September 2024 11:00
Press release - Consumer confidence indicator (2024-09)
- 24 September 2024 15:00
Press release - Business confidence indicator (2024-09)