Manufacturing output down
Just as in July, in August, the average daily output of the Dutch manufacturing industry was just over 1 percent lower than twelve months previously. This summer decrease was preceded by an increase in the first six months of this year, when production rose by 1 percent on average.
Compared with August 2007, output decreased in almost all branches of industry. In the textile industry production was even 6 percent down.
Seasonally adjusted figures provide a more reliable picture of short-term production developments. Monthly figures not adjusted for seasonal effects are often somewhat erratic. Therefore, the two-month average compared with the previous two-month average is a more accurate indicator. After correction for seasonal effects and the number of working days, manufacturing output decreased by nearly 2 percent in July-August compared with May-June.
