Netherlands: Consumer confidence improves in June
Consumer sentiment in the Netherlands rose from minus 3 in May to a neutral 0 in June, coming above the long-term average over the last 20 years of minus 4 and marking the first time since January that pessimism did not reign supreme.
The improvement in sentiment levels was particularly driven by a sunnier outlook on the economic climate. Consumers were more optimistic about the Dutch economy over the past 12 months and while the outlook on the economy in the next 12 months also improved, it remained entrenched in pessimism. Meanwhile, consumers’ willingness to make purchases also increased but remained in negative territory. This was driven by households’ less pessimistic view of their financial situation in both the past 12 and the next 12 months. Consumers also find the current time more favorable for purchasing big ticket items.