Manufacturers slightly less pessimistic
The mood among Dutch manufacturers improved marginally in November. The producer confidence indicator stood at -7.0 versus -7.7 in October. In the two preceding months, the mood among manufacturers had deteriorated.
Producer confidence consists of three component indicators: the expected output over the next three months, manufacturers’ opinions on their order positions and opinions on their stocks of finished products.
In November, manufacturers were slightly less pessimistic about their future output and their order positions than in October. Opinions on stocks hardly changed.
Producer confidence in manufacturing industry
Manufacturers were slightly more pessimistic about future employment in their sector than in October. In November, 21 percent anticipated staff cuts in the next three months, whereas 7 percent expected employment to improve. In October, these percentages were 19 and 7 percent respectively.
Expectations workforce next three months
More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.
For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.