Business confidence in the Dutch manufacturing sector rose to 4.2 in September 2026 from 3.7 in August, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase and remaining at its highest level since July 2022. The improvement was driven by stronger expectations for business activity, which rose to 19.4 from 17.4, while assessments of order books also improved to -2.3 from -3.2. In contrast, inventory assessments deteriorated to -4.5 from -3.1. Across sectors, sentiment improved in food and beverages (1.8 vs 1.4), textile 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). Sentiment also turned optimistic 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).