Netherlands: Consumer confidence remains elevated in July
Sentiment among Dutch consumers—which has been in positive territory since March 2015—remained elevated at the outset of the third quarter, matching June’s print at 23. This result is well above both the crucial zero-point mark that separates optimism from pessimism among consumers, and the long-term average of minus 3 over the last 20 years.
July’s result reflected still-upbeat views on the economic climate in the Netherlands. Consumers were fractionally more optimistic regarding the Dutch economy in the past 12 months, while their view on the economy in the next 12 months was unchanged. Consumers’ willingness to buy was also unchanged in July: Although they were less pessimistic about their financial situation in the past 12 months, they considered the current situation to be slightly less suited to purchasing durable goods.