Strong Data For Belgium

The economic situation in Belgium may be getting brighter as the nation has received some positive data recently. GDP for the nation increased 2.2 percent in the second quarter, outpacing the 1.6 percent growth in the previous quarter. Household private consumption expenditures grew by 0.3 percent and housing prices rose strongly. The average home price rose 5 percent versus the previous period and 1.08 percent over last quarter. This is the fourth consecutive quarterly housing price increase. In addition, apartment’s rents rose 5.9 percent. While there is some worries that Belgium’s aging population and rising social expenditures may force its government to join Spain and Greece with austerity measures, Belgium stocks are starting to look cheap. The iShares MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index

offers investors away to add the nation and its growth prospects. The ETF counts Anheuser-Busch InBev

as its biggest holding, with nearly 24 percent of AUM.