18.04.201405:12:00UTC+00Dutch Consumer Confidence Rises In April As Expected

Dutch consumer confidence improved for the seventh consecutive month in April, as households remained positive regarding the economic situation, data from the Central Bureau of Statistics showed Friday.

The consumer confidence rose to -5 from -7 in March, in line with expectations of economists. The index has been rising steadily since October last year and is currently at the same level as at the start of 2011, the agency said.

The economic expectations sub-index rose to 7 from 4 as households' view on the economic situation in the next 12 months improved and their assessment of the situation in the past 12 months were far less negative.

Previously, consumers were so confident about the economic situation was nearly 7 years ago, the statistical office said.

However, households' willingness to make big purchases was low and the corresponding index held unchanged at -13. Their view regarding the personal financial situation was also just as negative as in March.