Netherlands: Business confidence drops in June on less optimistic views of future output
Business sentiment dropped for the third time in four months in June, chiefly owing to a less upbeat view on future output. The index came in at 7.7 in June, down from 9.8 in May; it remained, however, well above the crucial zero-point mark separating optimism from pessimism among firms. Moreover, the reading was also substantially above the long-term average of 0.8 over the past 20 years.
Less upbeat views on future output and stocks of finished goods drove the moderation in sentiment. In contrast, firms were more optimistic about their order books. All sub-sectors have now remained in positive territory for over a year. Firms in the wood and building materials industry were once again the most optimistic in June.