Netherlands: Sentiment among consumers eases in May
In May, sentiment among consumers eased from 25 in April to 23 on the back of a broad-based moderation, as all sub-indicators recorded a lower reading than in the prior month. However, the indicator remained well above the crucial zero-point mark that separates optimism from pessimism. In addition, the print was significantly above the long-term average of minus 3 over the last 20 years. Sentiment has been in positive territory since February 2015.
Consumers were less optimistic about the economic climate in the country, driven by a less rosy view of the Dutch economy in the past 12 months and the next 12 months. Moreover, households’ willingness to buy inched down, owing to a more pessimistic outlook on their financial situation in the past 12 months and the next 12 months.