consumer confidence

The confidence of Dutch consumers is negative for the first time in four years. Both consumers' opinion of the economic climate and their willingness to buy declined somewhat, according to figures Statistics Netherlands released on Wednesday.

In February consumer confidence stood at -2, compared to 1 in January. Consumers are less positive about the economy than in January, with the economic sub-indicator falling from 3 to 1. Dutch consumers are also more negative about their financial situation, and therefore less willing to make large purchases, according to the stats office.

In March Dutch consumers spent 1.6 percent more than in the same month last year, according to Statistics Netherlands. Dutch especially spent more on clothing, shoes, home furnishings and services. This month consumer confidence is down 3 points to 23. 

Services accounted for more than half of Dutch consumer spending in March. Spending on services increased by 1.9 percent compared to a year earlier. Housing rentals, public transit, restaurants, insurance and hairdressers, among others, fall under services. 

The Dutch economy grew by 0.7 percent in the third quarter compared to the second quarter and by 2.4 percent compared to the third quarter in 2015, according to the initial figures by Statistics entherlands. This is the 10th quarter in a row that the Dutch economy showed growth.

Statistics Netherlands mainly attributes the growth to exports and household consumption. Consumers spent more on electronics, restaurants and other forms of entertainment. More foreign tourists also visited the Netherlands. 

In the second quarter of this year the Dutch economy grew by 0.6 percent compared to the previous quarter, continuing its steady growth for nine quarters in a row, Statistics Netherlands announced on Friday in its first calculations.

The Dutch economy continued its steady growth for the 8th quarter in a row. In the first quarter of 2016 the economy grew 0.5 percent compared to the previous quarter and 1.4 percent compared to the first quarter of last year, according to Statistics Netherlands' preliminary calculations.

Research office NBTC-NIPO thinks that Dutch people will go on vacation more often and spend more money on holiday this year. After several years of slight decrease and stabilization last year, the total number of holidays is expected to rise this year by around 2 percent

Despite the still high unemployment rate and number of people on welfare benefits, the economic outlook in the Netherlands is somewhat brighter in November than a month ago. Almost all key signals for the state of the Dutch economy are on green this month.

A wide range of economic indicators suggest that the Dutch economy is doing better than long-term forecasting predicted, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The data also shows that the economic situation in September 2015 outperformed the economy in August.

The economic situation in the Netherlands looked slightly better in August 2015 than in July, according to Statistics Netherlands' Business Cycle Tracer. Almost all indicators on the Tracer performed better in August than their long-term trends.

The mood among consumers improved significantly in June compared to the previous month. Consumer confidence rose by four percentage points and is now at six percent, reports Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This is the highest level seen in the Netherlands since 2007.

The Dutch economy is expected to grow by 2 percent this year, ABN Amro writes in its annual Vision on Sectors. This growth will put a number of sectors at their highest level in years.