Dutch Manufacturing Confidence Hits Near 3-Year High

Business confidence in the Dutch manufacturing sector rose to 1.3 in June 2026, rebounding from -2.0 in the previous month. This marked the strongest reading since August 2022, as expectations for business activity became more optimistic, rising to 14.5 from 4.6, signaling a stronger near-term production outlook, while inventory assessments increased to -3.5 from -5.2. On the other hand, order book assessments deteriorated to -7.0 from -5.6 in May. Across sectors, sentiment improved broadly, with gains in food and beverages (-1.7 vs -3.0), textiles, clothing, and leather (-2.4 vs -2.9), and refineries and chemicals (-1.9 vs -3.7), while base metals and metal products (3.3 vs -4.1) and electrical engineering and machinery (9.7 vs -0.9) returned to positive territory.

Business confidence in the Dutch manufacturing sector deteriorated to -2.0 in May 2026 from -0.7 in April, marking the weakest reading since last August. Expected activity dropped sharply to 4.6 from 8.4, signalling a notable weakening in the near-term production outlook, while inventory judgments worsened to -5.2 from -3.3, indicating a higher perceived stock overhang. By contrast, order position assessments improved slightly to -5.6 from -7.1, suggesting some easing in demand conditions. By sector, sentiment weakened broadly. The food and beverage industry declined (-3.0 vs -1.9), wood and building materials edged lower (-3.5 vs -3.3), while refineries and chemicals weakened further (-3.7 vs -1.6), alongside base metals and metal products (-4.1 vs -0.8). Assessments were less negative for paper and graphic products (-4.0 vs -4.9), and textile, clothing, and leather (-2.9 vs -7.9).

Business confidence in the manufacturing sector in the Netherlands stood at -0.7 in April 2026, unchanged from the previous month. Order position assessments inched up to -7.1 from -7.2, while sentiment regarding stock levels improved to -3.3 from -4.9 in March. Meanwhile, expected activity declined to 8.4 from 10.1, indicating weaker optimism about near-term production. By sector, sentiment improved in food and beverage (-1.9 vs -4.5), textile, clothing, and leather (-7.9 vs -11.1), paper and graphic products (-4.9 vs -7.6), and refineries and chemicals (-1.6 vs -5.2). On the other hand, these gains were offset as the outlook turned pessimistic in base metals and metal products (-0.8 vs 1.7) and other industry and repair (-1.4 vs 1.3). Sentiment also weakened in transport equipment (1.5 vs 2.7) and electrical engineering and machinery (2.7 vs 4.6).