Dutch Business Confidence Rises for Fourth Month

Business confidence in the Dutch manufacturing sector rose to 4.2 in September 2026 from 3.7 in August, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase and remaining at its highest level since July 2022. The improvement was driven by stronger expectations for business activity, which rose to 19.4 from 17.4, while assessments of order books also improved to -2.3 from -3.2. In contrast, inventory assessments deteriorated to -4.5 from -3.1. Across sectors, sentiment improved in food and beverages (1.8 vs 1.4), textile and clothing (-2.5 vs -4.0), wood and building materials (2.9 vs 1.6), and refineries and chemicals (1.1 vs 0.1). Sentiment also turned optimistic in base metals and metal products (3.0 vs -0.3), transport equipment (3.0 vs -0.7), and other industry and repair (1.5 vs -3.1).

Business confidence in the Dutch manufacturing sector rose to 3.7 in August 2026 from 2.4 in July, reaching its strongest reading since July 2022. Sentiment improved as expectations for business activity strengthened to 17.4 from 13.5, while order book assessments improved to -3.2 from -3.8. Meanwhile, inventory assessments edged lower to -3.1 from -2.4, indicating slightly less favorable views of stock levels. Across sectors, sentiment improved notably in food and beverages (1.4 vs. -1.9), wood and building materials (1.6 vs. -3.4), and paper and graphic products (3.2 vs. 1.4). Confidence also strengthened in refining and chemicals (0.1 vs. -2.4) and remained broadly stable in electrical engineering and machinery (15.9 vs. 15.6), while sentiment deteriorated in transport equipment (-0.7 vs. 2.4) and other manufacturing and repair (-3.1 vs. 0.0).

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).