Considerable growth investments

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that, year-on-year, the volume of investments in tangible fixed assets grew by 13.1 percent in November 2015. The increase is more substantial than in October. Investments in residential property and passenger cars grew most rapidly. According to Statistics Netherlands’ Investment Radar, the investment climate in the Netherlands is less positive in January than in December and November.

Investment data are not adjusted for calendar effects. November 2015 had one working day more than November 2014.

Higher investments in residential property and passenger cars

Just as in previous months, investments in residential property grew most noticeably. Investments in passenger cars also grew significantly relative to one year previously. The figures do not provide unambiguous information about the extent to which changing tax laws gave rise to the increase in car sales. As from 1 January 2016, conditions for the additional tax liability for company cars will again become stricter. In anticipation of these tax measures, many companies may have decided to buy new cars prior to 1 January. Motoring organisation BOVAG claims that - apart from November 2011 - November car sales have never been as high in the twenty-first century as in November 2015.

Investment climate less favourable in January

According to the Statistics Netherlands’ Investment Radar, the investment climate in the Netherlands in January is less favourable than in November. Factors relevant for a favourable investment climate are the situation on the sales markets and the situation on the financial markets. Consumer confidence is less positive and January’s Radar indicates that Dutch year-on-year share prices rose less rapidly than in November.