Italy’s consumer sentiment index drops in January, business confidence rises

Italy’s confidence climate fell in January. The consumer survey showed that the country’s confidence sentiment index dropped to 108.8 in January from 110.9, according to Italy’s official statistics office Istat. The future and economic components dropped in the month too. The economic component fell to 124.8, whereas future component dropped to 111.6.

Meanwhile, the personal and current components rebounded to 103.8 and 107.6 respectively in January. The balance concerning expectations on unemployment rose to 33 from 20. The balance on inflation perceptions referring to the past 12 months and on inflation expectations for the coming 12 month was up to -28 from -36 and to -10 from -34 respectively.

Looking at the business surveys, the composite business sentiment climate index rose to 102.5 from 100.2. The sentiment in manufacturing rose to 104.8 from 103.7. In the construction sector, sentiment increased to 123.9 from 120.4. Assessments on order books/construction plans deteriorated, while employment expectations improved.

The market services sentiment index rose to 105.4 from 102.5. Expectations on general economic sentiment deteriorated to 3 from 6. Meanwhile, sentiment index for retail trade dropped to 103.3 from 107.5. Assessments on current sales and expectations on further sales deteriorated. The balance regarding volume of stocks rose. The index dropped in the large scale distribution and in the small and medium scale distribution.