Netherlands: Business confidence falls to over two-year low in May
Business confidence fell to 2.1 in May from April’s 3.0. May’s result marked the weakest sentiment since February 2021. As a result, the index move further above the 0-threshold which separates optimism from pessimism among businesses.
Manufacturers became less positive about their order books and output in the next three months. Moreover, their opinion regarding current stock levels was more negative. Looking at specific sectors, confidence in the electrotechnical and machinery industry moderated but remained the highest, ahead of transport equipment producers, whose confidence also weakened during the month. Meanwhile, timber and building materials producers became even more pessimistic, followed by the paper and printing producers.