Netherlands: Consumer confidence remains elevated in August despite slightly less optimism about the year ahead
Sentiment among Dutch consumers remained elevated in August, despite dipping somewhat on a slightly less rosy outlook on the economic climate. Consumer confidence eased to 21 points in August, down from 23 points in the previous month but still handsomely above the long-term average of minus 3 over the last 20 years. Moreover, consumer confidence remained firmly anchored above the crucial zero-point mark, which separates optimism from pessimism among consumers. The indicator has rested in optimistic territory since March 2015.
Consumers’ view on the economic climate moderated as their outlook on the economy in the last 12 and the next 12 months became slightly less optimistic. On the other hand, consumers’ willingness to buy was unchanged from the previous month in August. This reflected a slight improvement in consumers’ views regarding their financial situation in the past 12 months, which was offset by an equally great moderation in consumers’ views regarding whether it was currently a good time to purchase durable goods. Their outlook on their financial situation in the next 12 months were unchanged.