Business confidence in the Dutch manufacturing sector rose to 3.7 in August 2026 from 2.4 in July, marking the highest reading since July 2022. The improvement was driven primarily by stronger expectations for future activity, with the business activity outlook rising to 17.4 from 13.5. Assessments of order books also became slightly less negative, improving to -3.2 from -3.8.
By contrast, views on inventories softened somewhat, with inventory assessments declining to -3.1 from -2.4, suggesting a modestly less favorable perception of stock levels.
Across subsectors, sentiment improved markedly in food and beverages (1.4 vs. -1.9), wood and building materials (1.6 vs. -3.4), and paper and graphic products (3.2 vs. 1.4). Confidence also strengthened in refining and chemicals (0.1 vs. -2.4) and held broadly steady in electrical engineering and machinery (15.9 vs. 15.6). In contrast, sentiment weakened in transport equipment (-0.7 vs. 2.4) and in other manufacturing and repair (-3.1 vs. 0.0).
