Dutch inflation confirmed at 3.6%; industrial production continues to decline

AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) – Dutch inflation fell slightly in August compared to the first estimate, while industrial production continued its downward trend, according to separate reports from Statistics Netherlands on Tuesday.

Consumer prices posted an annual increase of 3.6 percent in August, after a peak of 3.7 percent in July, in line with flash data released on August 30.

Inflation based on the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) was also estimated to have fallen to 3.3 percent from 3.5 percent in July.

The marginal slowdown in headline inflation was largely driven by a 5.6 percent decline in motor fuel costs. A 3.5 percent decline in clothing also dampened inflation. Meanwhile, utility costs were 1.08 percent higher.

Another official figure showed industrial production fell 4.4 percent year-on-year in July, slower than the 5.0 percent decline in June. Output has been falling since July last year.

Of all sectors, the transportation equipment industry showed the largest decline in production, while the food industry showed the largest increase.