Business profitability highest since 2000

Dutch businesses realised net profits of nearly 82 billion euro in 2005, up from 48 billion euro in 2004. This is an increase of more than 70 percent.
The return on equity was 22.1 percent, the highest percentage since 2000. Unprecedented profit levels in the petroleum and coal processing industry and the manufacture of chemical products contributed most to this increase. The communication sector had a difficult time in 2001-2002, losses amounted to more than 10 billion euro. In most years returns are highest in the industry sectors.

Return on equity