Dutch manufacturers optimistic
The mood among Dutch manufacturers in August has hardly changed compared to July. Statistics Netherlands reported today that optimism has prevailed among Dutch manufacturers since October 2014.
The producer confidence indicator has fallen from 3.7 in July to 3.5 in August, mainly because Dutch manufacturers are less positive about their future output in the next three months. Confidence among manufacturers is still well above its long-term average over the past two decades (0.4). The indicator reached an all-time high of 9.4 in January 2008, but dipped to an all-time low (-23.5) more than one year later.
Manufacturing industry less positive about future output
In August, manufacturers were less positive about their future output over the next three months than they were in July. However, their opinion about the order books remained virtually the same, and they rated their order books and their future output well above the long-term average. Their view on their stocks of finished products improved slightly.
All component indicators of producer confidence are positive. Manufacturers anticipating output to grow outnumber those expecting it to decline over the next three months. Given the time of year, the manufacturers who consider their order position as strong outnumber those who think it weak. The number of manufacturers who consider their stocks of finished products as too small is larger than those who believe them to be too large.
StatLine:
For more information on economic indicators, see the Economic Monitor.