Business confidence in the Dutch manufacturing sector rose to 4.2 in September 2026 from 3.7 in August, marking a fourth consecutive monthly increase and remaining at its highest level since July 2022. The latest improvement was mainly driven by stronger expectations for future activity, with the outlook indicator climbing to 19.4 from 17.4. Assessments of order books also strengthened, improving to -2.3 from -3.2. By contrast, views on inventories deteriorated, with the corresponding balance declining to -4.5 from -3.1.
Across subsectors, sentiment improved in food and beverages (1.8 vs 1.4), textiles and clothing (-2.5 vs -4.0), wood and building materials (2.9 vs 1.6), and refineries and chemicals (1.1 vs 0.1). Confidence also turned positive in base metals and metal products (3.0 vs -0.3), transport equipment (3.0 vs -0.7), and other industry and repair (1.5 vs -3.1).
