Dutch Manufacturing Confidence at 4-Year High

Business confidence in the Dutch manufacturing sector rose to 2.4 in July 2026, the highest level in four years, from 1.3 in the previous month. Sentiment improved as order book assessments rose to -3.8 from -7.0, while inventory assessments strengthened to -2.4 from -3.5 in June. Meanwhile, expectations for business activity became less optimistic, falling to 13.5 from 14.5, though they continued to signal a positive near-term production outlook. Across sectors, sentiment improved broadly, with gains recorded in wood and building materials (-3.4 vs. -6.5) and base metal and metal products (-3.0 vs. -3.3). Sentiment also turned positive in paper and graphic products (1.4 vs. -6.5) and strengthened further in electrical engineering and machinery (15.6 vs. 9.7).

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).