Manufacturers slightly more pessimistic
The mood among Dutch manufacturers deteriorated somewhat. The producer confidence indicator feel from 0,7 in January to -0,1 in February.
Producer confidence consists of three component indicators: manufacturers’ opinions on their order positions, their opinions on their stocks of finished products and the projected output over the next three months. Manufacturers were more negative about their future output and their order positions in February than in January, but more positive about their stocks.
Producer confidence in manufacturing industry
Manufacturers were less pessimistic about future employment in their branches. In February, 15.7 percent of manufacturers anticipated staff cuts during the next three months, whereas 9.0 percent expected employment in their branch to improve. The balance of positive and negative answers rose from -14.8 in December to -10.9 in January and to -6.7 in February.
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.