Belgian business sentiment rose by more than expected to a four-month high in March as managers across all sectors forecast improving demand. The index, often referred to as the leading indicator, rose to -6.3 points from -8.3 in February, above a Reuters consensus for a slight improvement to -7.7, the Belgian central bank said on Tuesday.
While confidence rose across all business sectors, the increase was sharpest in trade, which includes retailers, who expected an improved demand and said they were planning to place more orders with suppliers.
For managers in the construction industry, it was the first improvement in confidence after three successive declines.
The Belgian number comes one day before the much-watched German Ifo business Climate Index, which is also expected to improve.
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