Producer confidence improves in August

Producer confidence in August remains 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.

All component indicators improve

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

One component indicator of producer confidence was positive: manufacturers who anticipated an increase in output over the next three months outnumbered those expecting a decrease. However, two other 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 negative in almost all industrial sectors

Confidence was negative in almost all industrial sectors. Only manufacturers in ‘other industries’ (such as repair and installation of machinery and furniture) were positive in August. Manufacturers in the paper and printing industry were the most negative.

Manufacturing output down by 0.2 percent in June

In June, the calendar-adjusted output of the Dutch manufacturing sector was 0.2 percent lower than it was in June 2024. Manufacturing output fell by 0.1 percent relative to May, after adjusting for seasonal and calendar effects.