Consumer confidence falls back slightly

Consumer confidence diminished somewhat in July 2006 compared to June, though optimists still outnumber pessimists. The dip follows a period of ten months of sustained increase. Dutch consumers were in particular less positive about the economic climate in July. Willingness to buy hardly changed, according to the latest figures released by Statistics Netherlands.

Consumers much more negative about the economic climate

In July 2006, consumers were considerably less positive about the economic climate. Their opinions on the economic situation in the next twelve months deteriorated, while their opinions on the economic situation in the past twelve months hardly changed. However, optimists still outnumber pessimists.  

Willingness to buy almost unchanged

Consumers’ willingness to buy hardly changed in July, but the underlying indicators did. Willingness to buy is based on the question whether consumers think it is a favourable time to buy expensive items and on their evaluation of the financial situation of their own household.

Consumers’ willingness to buy expensive articles improved distinctly this month. It is the second substantial improvement in the span of three months. Consumers’ opinions on their own financial situation in the twelve months to come, on the other hand, deteriorated. They were also slightly more pessimistic about their own financial situation in the past twelve months.

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