Italian retail trade remains nearly flat in October

The Italian retail trade index stayed relatively flat in the three-month on three-month movement in October, showed Istat. On a sequential basis, retail trade, in terms of value and volume, remained relatively flat, rising by 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.

Notwithstanding the general deceleration in growth in the seasonally adjusted series, year-on-year estimates of retail trade show a rise, as the value rose 1.5 percent, and volume rose 1.6 percent. Rises were recorded throughout both large scale distribution and small scare distribution on a year-on-year basis. Internet sales were up 24.4 percent, indicating the largest year-on-year rise since July 2017.

Looking at the value of sales by product category, in October 2018 the year-on-year picture was one of growth throughout each sector except Stationary, books, newspapers and magazines, sporting equipment, games and toys and Pharmaceuticals products. The most solid growth were recorded in Computer and telecommunications equipment, electric household appliances and audio-video equipment and other goods.

At 12:00 GMT the FxWirePro's Hourly Strength Index of Euro was slightly bearish at -50.3997, while the FxWirePro's Hourly Strength Index of US Dollar was neutral at 31.5949. For more details on FxWirePro's Currency Strength Index, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex