Italy: Business confidence deteriorates in January
The National Institute of Statistics (Istat)’s composite business confidence indicator (Clima di Fiducia delle Imprese Italiane, IESE)—which covers the manufacturing, construction, services and retail sectors—dropped to 105.6 points in January, below December’s revised 108.7 points (previously reported: 108.9).
The weakening came mainly on the back of a deterioration in sentiment in the retail trade and market services sectors, in which expectations on future sales fell significantly. Sentiment in the manufacturing sector also worsened, as expectations on order books declined. On the other hand, confidence in the construction sector improved on higher employment expectations.