Netherlands: Consumer confidence edges up in March
The seasonally-adjusted consumer confidence index inched up to 24 points in March from 23 points in February, remaining well anchored above the crucial zero-point mark that separates optimism from pessimism among Dutch households. The print was comfortably above the average of minus 3 points over the last 20 years. Moreover, the index has remained in positive territory for three years.
The result reflected a slight improvement in consumers’ view on the country’s economic climate, whereas their willingness to buy remained unchanged from the prior month. Their more upbeat sentiment regarding the economic climate resulted from more optimistic views on the economic situation in both the next, and the past, 12 months. Although consumers held a negative view of their financial situations in the past 12 months, they were more upbeat about their finances in the 12 months that lie ahead.