Dutch industrial output maintained its momentum in May, rising by 4.9 per cent year-on-year to match April’s growth rate. Data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reveals that this upward swing was supported by nearly 40 per cent of the country’s manufacturing sectors.
Performance across the industry remained highly polarised. The machinery and food sectors led the charge with the strongest output gains, whereas the chemical and transport equipment industries suffered the steepest declines, alongside contractions in electronics and plastics.
On a monthly basis, output crept up by 0.1 per cent against April. While the sector has faced a general downward trend since peaking in May 2022, three consecutive months of incremental growth suggest the manufacturing landscape is beginning to stabilise.
Meanwhile, industrial sentiment experienced a significant bounce in June. Manufacturer confidence surged to plus 1.3 from minus 2.0 in May, hitting its highest level in nearly four years and comfortably beating the long-term 20-year average of minus 1.4.
This renewed optimism was heavily driven by stronger expectations for near-term business activity. While confidence improved across the board, firms within the electrical engineering and machinery sectors emerged as both the most improved and the most optimistic about the months ahead.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
