Confidence among manufacturers improving in August

Producer confidence in August was below the 20-year average of -1.3. It reached an all-time high (10.4) in October 2021 and an all-time low (-31.5) in April 2020.

Less negative about order positions and stocks

Manufacturers’ assessment of the order positions and their current stocks of finished products was less negative. They were also more positive about expected output for the next three months.

One component indicator was positive: manufacturers who anticipated an increase in output over the next three months outnumbered those expecting a decrease.

Two component indicators were negative. Manufacturers were more likely to indicate that their order position was weak rather than strong for the time of year, and more manufacturers described their current stock of finished products as large rather than small.

Producer confidence most positive in the timber and construction sector

Confidence improved in most manufacturing sectors. Confidence increased the most among manufacturers in the timber and construction sector. They were also the most positive of all sectors.
More than 3 weeks ago, Statistics Netherlands reported that business confidence had increased the most in the construction sector at the start of the third quarter. However, as in most Dutch sectors, business confidence in the construction sector remained negative.

Manufacturing output down by almost 5 percent in June

In June 2024, the calendar-adjusted output of the Dutch manufacturing sector was 4.9 percent lower than it was in June 2023. Year-on-year output also contracted in the preceding eleven months. After adjustments for seasonal and calendar effects, manufacturing output rose by 0.8 percent relative to May.