Manufacturers a bit more pessimistic

Dutch manufacturers were a bit more pessimistic in March 2013 than in February. The producer confidence indicator dropped from – 3.6 to – 4.8. In the preceding months, the mood among manufacturers had improved marginally.

Producer confidence consists of three component indicators: the expected output over the next three months, manufacturers’ opinions on their order positions and opinions on their stocks of finished products.

Manufacturers were much more negative about their expected output in March than they were in February, but they were slightly less pessimistic about their order positions. Manufacturers’ opinions on their stocks also improved somewhat.

Producer confidence in manufacturing industry

Manufacturers were slightly less negative about future employment in their branch in March than they were in February. Nevertheless, manufacturers anticipating staff cuts over the next three months (20 percent) still outnumbered those expecting to recruit staff (7 percent). The balance of positive and negative answers was –13 in March, versus –15 in February.

Expectations workforce in the next three months

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.

For more information on economic indicators, see the Economic Monitor.