Tuesday, the Statistics Netherlands announced that the consumer confidence indicator fell to minus 27 points in October from minus 22 points in September. Economists had expected the reading to fall to minus 30.
Meanwhile, the producer confidence indicator fell for the second month in a row. The corresponding index declined 5.6 points in October, bigger than the 5.4 points recorded in September. This was the largest monthly decline since 1985, when the survey was started.
The producer confidence index reading stood at minus 6.1 in October, which is its lowest level in more than five years. Economists were looking for a reading of minus 3. All sub-indicators fell significantly in October.
The view on the order situation weakened and stood negative for the first time since August 2005. The capacity utilization index fell to 83 from 83.4 in September.
At the same time, the business service providers turned to pessimism, while entrepreneurs view on the economy became quite negative.
The statistical agency said 36% of the business service providers saw economic climate as "bad".
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com