In April 2014 the composite business confidence climate index (IESI, Istat Economic Sentiment Indicator), obtained by summarizing the confidence climates of manufacturing, construction, market services and retail trade, decreased to 88.8 from 89.5 in March.
The confidence index in manufacturing rose to 99.9 from 99.3. Assessments on order books improved (from -23 to -21) while production expectations and inventories remained stable (to 5 and to -1, respectively).
The confidence index in construction fell to 74.8 from 75.6. Assessments on order books and construction plans improved (from -54 to -50) while employment expectations worsened (from -18 to -24).
The market services confidence index fell to 91.4 from 92.3. The index increased in Tourism services (from 91.1 to 96.6), in Information and communication (from 75.0 to 79.4) and in Business services and other services (from 92.0 to 94.0) while it decreased in Transportation and storage (from 113.4 to 99.5).
The retail trade confidence index rose to 98.0 from 94.5. The confidence increased in the large-scale distribution (from 92.1 to 92.4) and in small and medium scale distribution (from 97.0 to 102.7).