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      Scope affirms Belgium’s credit rating at AA with Stable Outlook.

      BEGV 10/11/18 BEGV 08/09/18 BEGV 07/12/18 BEGV 06/14/18 BEGV 09/13/18 BEGV 0.600 12/04/26 BEGV 1.965 03/11/44 MTN BEGV 0.700 06/04/27 BEGV 0.750 12/04/25 BEGV 0.600 03/04/26 BEGV 3.600 06/17/48 '24 MTN BEGV 0.750 03/04/27 BEGV 0.500 06/04/26 BEGV 4.500 05/06/22 FRN MTN BEGV 1.250 06/22/18 BEGV 0.900 09/04/25 BEGV 9.375 02/21/20 BEGV 3.000 06/22/34 BEGV 0.200 10/22/23 BEGV 0.500 10/22/24 BEGV 5.500 03/28/28 BEGV 3.000 09/28/19 BEGV 4.250 03/28/41 BEGV 4.000 03/28/19 BEGV 2.600 06/22/24 BEGV 1.450 06/22/37 BEGV 2.250 06/22/57 BEGV 2.150 06/22/66 BEGV 4.250 09/28/21 BEGV 1.900 06/22/38 BEGV 1.600 06/22/47 BEGV 3.750 06/22/45 BEGV 5.000 03/28/35 BEGV 2.250 06/22/23 BEGV 1.000 06/22/26 BEGV 4.000 03/28/22 BEGV 4.250 09/28/22 BEGV 4.500 03/28/26 BEGV 1.000 06/22/31 BEGV 3.750 09/28/20 BEGV 0.800 06/22/27 BEGV 0.800 06/22/25 BEGV 4.000 03/28/32 BEGV 2.500 09/09/15 MTN BEGV 1.125 12/21/18 MTN BEGV 0.050 06/01/40 MTN BEGV 2.875 09/18/24 MTN BEGV 3.240 05/22/43 MTN BEGV 3.940 07/10/53 '23 MTN BEGV 4.550 12/09/41 MTN PUT BEGV 1.500 06/22/18 MTN BEGV 1.910 07/27/26 MTN BEGV 3.590 06/03/58 MTN BEGV 0.250 06/18/40 MTN BEGV 3.520 07/29/53 '32 MTN BEGV 4.050 06/24/33 MTN BEGV 4.192 07/09/25 MTN BEGV 2.300 05/06/16 MTN BEGV 2.875 03/28/34 MTN BEGV 4.250 09/18/28 MTN BEGV 3.500 07/29/53 '33 MTN BEGV 2.500 04/01/30 MTN BEGV 06/09/21 MTN BEGV 1.625 01/15/20 MTN BEGV 3.625 10/21/52 MTN BEGV 3.800 07/18/44 MTN BEGV 4.090 11/10/31 MTN PUT BEGV 1.795 06/27/44 MTN BEGV 1.625 01/15/20 MTN BEGV 4.200 07/18/33 MTN BEGV 3.980 11/10/31 MTN PUT BEGV 0.171 06/22/23 FRN MTN BEGV 0.130 01/29/27 FRN MTN BEGV 0.951 09/28/22 FRN MTN BEGV 3.900 03/29/40 MTN PUT BEGV 0.150 06/18/35 MTN BEGV 1.125 08/03/19 MTN BEGV 4.500 05/25/28 MTN BEGV 09/26/18 MTN BEGV 04/05/22 MTN BEGV 0.141 06/22/24 FRN MTN BEGV 0.212 09/28/30 FRN MTN BEGV 0.071 10/22/24 FRN MTN BEGV 0.241 12/24/29 FRN MTN BEGV 0.300 03/04/23 BEGV 1.750 03/04/22 BEGV 8.875 12/01/24 BEGV 5.700 05/28/32 MTN BEGV 1.850 03/04/21 BEGV 05/23/22 MTN BEGV 05/28/21 MTN BEGV 0.750 06/04/18 BEGV 3.000 06/04/18 BEGV 1.400 06/04/22 BEGV 3.000 06/04/20 BEGV 1.000 09/04/22 BEGV 1.350 09/04/18 BEGV 3.100 03/04/20 BEGV 3.750 03/04/19 BEGV 0.600 03/04/25 BEGV 1.100 12/04/24 BEGV 4.200 12/04/19 BEGV 1.000 12/04/18 BEGV 0.800 06/04/25 BEGV 0.600 06/04/19 BEGV 3.750 06/04/19 BEGV 3.500 09/04/19 BEGV 2.100 09/04/20 BEGV 1.900 12/04/21 BEGV 0.900 03/04/19 BEGV 1.800 12/04/20 BEGV 1.500 06/04/21 BEGV 2.750 09/04/18 BEGV 3.000 12/04/18 BEGV 2.150 09/04/21 BEGV 0.650 09/04/27 BEGV 0.500 12/04/27 BEGV 0.800 06/22/28 BEGV 0.900 03/04/28 BEGV 1.250 04/22/33 BEGV 0.750 06/04/28 BEGV 0.650 09/04/28 BEGV 0.900 06/22/29 BEGV 1.700 06/22/50 BEGV 0.550 03/04/29 BEGV 1.440 04/02/24 MTN
      FRIDAY, 18/05/2018 - Scope Ratings GmbH
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      Scope affirms Belgium’s credit rating at AA with Stable Outlook.

      A diversified, wealthy economy with strong funding flexibility, sound external position and structural reform efforts support the rating. High debt levels, weak productivity growth, labour market rigidities and housing price vulnerability are constraints.

      For the detailed research report, please click HERE.

      Scope Ratings AG today affirms the Kingdom of Belgium’s long-term local-currency issuer rating at AA. The agency also affirms the long-term foreign-currency issuer rating of AA, along with affirming a short-term issuer rating of S-1+ in both local and foreign currency. The sovereign’s senior unsecured debt in both local and foreign currency is also affirmed at AA. All Outlooks are Stable.

      Rating drivers

      The AA rating is supported by Belgium’s euro area membership, a wealthy and diversified economy, strong external position, strong funding position and a track record of structural reform efforts. Despite these strengths Belgium faces challenges including a high public debt to GDP ratio, weak productivity growth, labour market rigidities and rising vulnerabilities in the housing market. The confirmation of the Stable Outlook reflects Scope’s view that the risks for the ratings remain broadly balanced. Belgium’s wealthy economy, with GDP per capita 13% above the OECD average, has proven resilient. The exceptionally low GDP volatility, a strong diversification of the economy and deep integration in the euro area make the country highly resilient to shocks. Scope expects real GDP growth in 2018 to increase by 1.9% and in 2019 by 1.7%, supported by continued monetary expansion in the euro area. Relatively weak capacity investment, population ageing, and labour market rigidities keep potential growth around 1.5% over the medium-term. Employment growth has helped to reduce Belgian unemployment rates, despite ongoing misalignment between worker skills and industry needs, which results in uneven productivity growth. In recent years, domestic demand has been the main engine of the economic upswing, accompanied by a surge in business investment.

      The ratings also benefit from Belgium’s external sustainability, which Scope considers to be robust given its positive net international investment position (NIIP) of 55% of GDP in 2017. The current account was in balance and is expected to remain positive over the medium-term. Both the strong external position and positive net exports buffer the government from higher risk premia.

      The Belgian government has also implemented several structural reforms aimed at improving cost competitiveness, paving its way to further fiscal consolidation. The reform process initiated in 2014-15 has been continued in 2018 by the centre-right coalition with a new package of tax and labour market measures. The recent pension reform was an important step in addressing the long-term costs of population ageing. New measures expand the tax base by reducing exceptions and plans to improve disadvantaged groups’ chances on the labour market through better vocational training and major school reforms. These measures are expected to enhance potential growth over the medium term.

      After limited progress in recent years, the headline deficit declined significantly in 2017 to 1.0% of GDP from 2.5% on average in 2015 and 2016. This reflected both significant structural fiscal consolidation efforts, as well as the sustained cyclical conditions and strong corporate tax revenues. The fiscal position is expected to stabilise with headline deficits at 1.1-1.3% in 2018 and 2019. The 2018 budget is anticipated to decrease in revenue and expenditures, which is mainly driven by lower tax income and interest payments. Scope anticipates local (2018), regional and national elections (2019) to raise uncertainties, especially if the winning parties face difficulties to form a new government.

      Further fiscal consolidation efforts could accelerate the decline in the high public debt-to-GDP ratio. The debt to GDP ratio is projected to continue falling, from 103% of GDP in 2017 approaching to 93% in 2020 assuming primary surpluses to remain at 1.4% and GDP growth at 1.6% over the medium term.

      Despite these strengths, several challenges weigh on the ratings. The combination of high public debt (103% in 2017) and private debt ratios (106.1% of GDP in 2016) entail risks to financial stability when the ECB ceases its asset purchase programmes and interest rates start to increase. The recent pension reforms contribute to a more positive outlook, but potential contingent liabilities stemming from demographic transitions remain a major risk to public finances. Compared to its peers, Belgium faces the largest gross-financing needs (GFN). However, the high share of long-term debt denominated in euro and a relatively long average debt maturity of 9.3 years in 2017, one of the highest in the euro area, contribute to low refinancing risk over the medium-term. In addition, the central government is expected to sell equity stakes in Belgian banks (a total of 10bn. Euros), the equivalent of a 2% debt reduction.

      Belgium faces weak productivity growth, which largely stems from sectoral misplacement of labour and structural weaknesses in the education system. High regulation of network industries and some professional services restrict competition, resulting in a negative productivity gap, compared to Belgium’s peer rating group. The skill mismatch is a major driver of the sectoral imbalances, based on regional disparities (unemployment rates ranging from 5-6% to 16%), youth unemployment (close to 20% and higher than the EU average), as well as low employment rates among migrants (50% among non-EU28 citizens). Improving employment and labour participation rates will be key to improve sustainability of public finances with an ageing population. Overall unemployment is expected to remain clearly below the ratios of its euro area peers with the trend rate expected to decline further towards 6-6.5% over the medium-term.

      Scope believes that short-term vulnerabilities are emerging in Belgium’s housing market. Real estate prices increased by 20% since the great financial crisis leading to steady increases in household debt to around 104% of income, higher than the euro area average. Although households have high net financial wealth of approximately 243% of GDP in 2017, a third of the households can cover no more than six months of debt service. Both the large ratio of private mortgage debt among lower-income households and high repayment rates relative to income contribute to a potential vulnerability. The housing market faces the risk of a significant price correction when interest rates start to rise. A low ratio of variable interest loans mitigates this risk to some extent, but this would nonetheless adversely affect household wealth and thus hence the balance sheets for financial institutions. The recent rejection of a proposed capital surcharge on risky mortgages from the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) by the government inhibits pre-cautionary actions by the NBB. A new proposal is currently under discussion with the government.

      Sovereign rating scorecard (CVS) and Qualitative Scorecard (QS)

      Scope’s Core Variable Scorecard (CVS), which is based on relative rankings of key sovereign credit fundamentals, signals an indicative A (a) rating range for Belgium. This indicative rating range can be adjusted by up to three notches on the Qualitative Scorecard (QS) depending on the size of relative credit strengths or weaknesses versus peers based on qualitative analysis. For Belgium, the following relative credit strengths have been identified: i) economic policy framework, ii) macro-economic stability and sustainability iii) fiscal policy framework, iv) debt sustainability v) market access and funding sources, vi) current account vulnerability vii) external debt sustainability, viii) vulnerability to short-term external shocks, ix) banking sector performance and x) banking sector oversight and governance.
      The combined relative credit strengths and weaknesses indicate a sovereign rating of AA for Belgium. A rating committee has discussed and confirmed these results.

      For further details, please see Appendix 2 of the Rating Report.

      Outlook and rating-change drivers

      The assignment of AA Stable trend reflects Scope’s view that risks to the ratings are now broadly balanced.

      The ratings could be downgraded following: i) a sharp deterioration in the economic outlook, ii) a strong deterioration in fiscal results, and/or iii) a reversal of structural reforms. The rating could be upgraded if: i) growth accelerated sharply, ii) debt were to be reduced more than expected, and/or iii) reforms significantly boosted growth potential.

      Rating committee

      The main points discussed during the rating committee were: i) Belgium’s impact on economic growth potential, ii) fiscal performance and debt sustainability, iii) market access and funding sources, iv) vulnerabilities in the housing market.

      Methodology

      The methodology applicable for this rating and/or rating outlook, ‘Public Finance Sovereign Ratings’, is available at www.scoperatings.com.

      Historical default rates from Scope Ratings can be viewed in Scope’s rating performance report at https://www.scoperatings.com/#governance-and-policies/regulatory-ESMA. Please also refer to the central platform (CEREP) of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) at http://cerep.esma.europa.eu/cerep-web/statistics/defaults.xhtml. A comprehensive clarification of Scope’s definition of default and definitions of rating notations can be found in Scope’s public credit rating methodologies at www.scoperatings.com.

      The rating outlook indicates the most likely direction of the rating if the rating were to change within the next 12 to 18 months. A rating change is not automatically ensured, however.

      Regulatory disclosures
      This credit rating and/or rating outlook is issued by Scope Ratings GmbH.
      Rating prepared by Dr Bernhard Bartels, Lead Analyst, Associate Director
      Person responsible for approval of the rating Dr Giacomo Barisone, Head of Public Finance
      The ratings/outlook were first assigned by Scope as a subscription rating in January 2003. The subscription ratings/outlooks were last updated on 30.06.2017.
      The senior unsecured debt ratings as well as the short-term issuer ratings were last updated by Scope on 30.06.2017.

      Solicitation, key sources and quality of information
      The rating was initiated by Scope and was not requested by the rated entity or its agents. The rated entity and/or its agents did not participate in the ratings process. Scope had no access to accounts, management and/or other relevant internal documents for the rated entity or related third party.
      The following material sources of information were used to prepare the credit rating: The Ministry of Finance of the Belgian Government; Flemish and Wallonian Governments National Reform Programme (NRP), Belgian Debt Agency; the European Commission; the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB); European Stability Mechanism (ESM); the National Bank of Belgium (NBB); IMF; OECD; and Haver Analytics.
      Scope considers the quality of information available to Scope on the rated entity or instrument to be satisfactory. The information and data supporting Scope’s ratings originate from sources Scope considers to be reliable and accurate. Scope does not, however, independently verify the reliability and accuracy of the information and data.
      Prior to publication, the rated entity was given the opportunity to review the rating and/or outlook and the principal grounds upon which the credit rating and/or outlook is based. Following that review, the rating was not amended before being issued.

      Conditions of use / exclusion of liability
      © 2018 Scope SE & Co. KGaA and all its subsidiaries including Scope Ratings GmbH, Scope Analysis, Scope Investor Services GmbH (collectively, Scope). All rights reserved. The information and data supporting Scope’s ratings, rating reports, rating opinions and related research and credit opinions originate from sources Scope considers to be reliable and accurate. Scope cannot, however, independently verify the reliability and accuracy of the information and data. Scope’s ratings, rating reports, rating opinions, or related research and credit opinions are provided “as is” without any representation or warranty of any kind. In no circumstance shall Scope or its directors, officers, employees and other representatives be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental or otherwise damages, expenses of any kind, or losses arising from any use of Scope’s ratings, rating reports, rating opinions, related research or credit opinions. Ratings and other related credit opinions issued by Scope are, and have to be viewed by any party, as opinions on relative credit risk and not as a statement of fact or recommendation to purchase, hold or sell securities. Past performance does not necessarily predict future results. Any report issued by Scope is not a prospectus or similar document related to a debt security or issuing entity. Scope issues credit ratings and related research and opinions with the understanding and expectation that parties using them will assess independently the suitability of each security for investment or transaction purposes. Scope’s credit ratings address relative credit risk, they do not address other risks such as market, liquidity, legal, or volatility. The information and data included herein is protected by copyright and other laws. To reproduce, transmit, transfer, disseminate, translate, resell, or store for subsequent use for any such purpose the information and data contained herein, contact Scope Ratings GmbH at Lennéstraße 5, D-10785 Berlin.

      Scope Ratings GmbH, Lennéstrasse 5, 10785 Berlin, District Court for Berlin (Charlottenburg) HRB 192993 B, Managing Director: Torsten Hinrichs.

       

      BEGV 10/11/18 BEGV 08/09/18 BEGV 07/12/18 BEGV 06/14/18 BEGV 09/13/18 BEGV 0.600 12/04/26 BEGV 1.965 03/11/44 MTN BEGV 0.700 06/04/27 BEGV 0.750 12/04/25 BEGV 0.600 03/04/26 BEGV 3.600 06/17/48 '24 MTN BEGV 0.750 03/04/27 BEGV 0.500 06/04/26 BEGV 4.500 05/06/22 FRN MTN BEGV 1.250 06/22/18 BEGV 0.900 09/04/25 BEGV 9.375 02/21/20 BEGV 3.000 06/22/34 BEGV 0.200 10/22/23 BEGV 0.500 10/22/24 BEGV 5.500 03/28/28 BEGV 3.000 09/28/19 BEGV 4.250 03/28/41 BEGV 4.000 03/28/19 BEGV 2.600 06/22/24 BEGV 1.450 06/22/37 BEGV 2.250 06/22/57 BEGV 2.150 06/22/66 BEGV 4.250 09/28/21 BEGV 1.900 06/22/38 BEGV 1.600 06/22/47 BEGV 3.750 06/22/45 BEGV 5.000 03/28/35 BEGV 2.250 06/22/23 BEGV 1.000 06/22/26 BEGV 4.000 03/28/22 BEGV 4.250 09/28/22 BEGV 4.500 03/28/26 BEGV 1.000 06/22/31 BEGV 3.750 09/28/20 BEGV 0.800 06/22/27 BEGV 0.800 06/22/25 BEGV 4.000 03/28/32 BEGV 2.500 09/09/15 MTN BEGV 1.125 12/21/18 MTN BEGV 0.050 06/01/40 MTN BEGV 2.875 09/18/24 MTN BEGV 3.240 05/22/43 MTN BEGV 3.940 07/10/53 '23 MTN BEGV 4.550 12/09/41 MTN PUT BEGV 1.500 06/22/18 MTN BEGV 1.910 07/27/26 MTN BEGV 3.590 06/03/58 MTN BEGV 0.250 06/18/40 MTN BEGV 3.520 07/29/53 '32 MTN BEGV 4.050 06/24/33 MTN BEGV 4.192 07/09/25 MTN BEGV 2.300 05/06/16 MTN BEGV 2.875 03/28/34 MTN BEGV 4.250 09/18/28 MTN BEGV 3.500 07/29/53 '33 MTN BEGV 2.500 04/01/30 MTN BEGV 06/09/21 MTN BEGV 1.625 01/15/20 MTN BEGV 3.625 10/21/52 MTN BEGV 3.800 07/18/44 MTN BEGV 4.090 11/10/31 MTN PUT BEGV 1.795 06/27/44 MTN BEGV 1.625 01/15/20 MTN BEGV 4.200 07/18/33 MTN BEGV 3.980 11/10/31 MTN PUT BEGV 0.171 06/22/23 FRN MTN BEGV 0.130 01/29/27 FRN MTN BEGV 0.951 09/28/22 FRN MTN BEGV 3.900 03/29/40 MTN PUT BEGV 0.150 06/18/35 MTN BEGV 1.125 08/03/19 MTN BEGV 4.500 05/25/28 MTN BEGV 09/26/18 MTN BEGV 04/05/22 MTN BEGV 0.141 06/22/24 FRN MTN BEGV 0.212 09/28/30 FRN MTN BEGV 0.071 10/22/24 FRN MTN BEGV 0.241 12/24/29 FRN MTN BEGV 0.300 03/04/23 BEGV 1.750 03/04/22 BEGV 8.875 12/01/24 BEGV 5.700 05/28/32 MTN BEGV 1.850 03/04/21 BEGV 05/23/22 MTN BEGV 05/28/21 MTN BEGV 0.750 06/04/18 BEGV 3.000 06/04/18 BEGV 1.400 06/04/22 BEGV 3.000 06/04/20 BEGV 1.000 09/04/22 BEGV 1.350 09/04/18 BEGV 3.100 03/04/20 BEGV 3.750 03/04/19 BEGV 0.600 03/04/25 BEGV 1.100 12/04/24 BEGV 4.200 12/04/19 BEGV 1.000 12/04/18 BEGV 0.800 06/04/25 BEGV 0.600 06/04/19 BEGV 3.750 06/04/19 BEGV 3.500 09/04/19 BEGV 2.100 09/04/20 BEGV 1.900 12/04/21 BEGV 0.900 03/04/19 BEGV 1.800 12/04/20 BEGV 1.500 06/04/21 BEGV 2.750 09/04/18 BEGV 3.000 12/04/18 BEGV 2.150 09/04/21 BEGV 0.650 09/04/27 BEGV 0.500 12/04/27 BEGV 0.800 06/22/28 BEGV 0.900 03/04/28 BEGV 1.250 04/22/33 BEGV 0.750 06/04/28 BEGV 0.650 09/04/28 BEGV 0.900 06/22/29 BEGV 1.700 06/22/50 BEGV 0.550 03/04/29 BEGV 1.440 04/02/24 MTN

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