Italy’s consumer sentiment remains stable in November, business confidence index drops

Italy’s consumer sentiment climate index remained quite stable in November. The index came in at 107.9, as compared with October’s 108, according to Istat. Within consumer confidence, the economic component fell a tad to 127.2 from 127.3, whereas the future component dropped to 113.7 from 114.3. On the other hand, the personal and current components rose to 101.3 from 100.5 and to 103.7 from 102.8, respectively.

The balance concerning expectations on unemployment dropped to 28 from 31. The balance on inflation perceptions referring to the last 12 months and on inflation projections for the next 12 months dropped to -34 from -30 and to -28 from -25 respectively.

Meanwhile, with regard to business surveys, the composite business confidence climate index dropped to 101.4 from 101.7. The sentiment in manufacturing dropped to 102 from 102.9. Also, assessments on order books deteriorated to -14 from -11, whereas production expectations rose to 10 from 9. The balance on inventories continued to stay steady at 5.

The sentiment index in construction fell to 124.2 from 125.8. Assessments on order books/construction plans rebounded to -25 from -27, whereas employment expectations deteriorated to -11 from -7.

Furthermore, the market service sentiment index dropped to 105.2 from 106.6 Assessments on order books and expectations on general economic situation declined, whereas expectations on order books remained stable at 5. The retail trade sentiment index rose to 106.5 from 101.6. There was a rebound in assessments on current sales and expectations on future sales. The indices rose to 7 from -1 and to 29 from 23 respectively.