With regard to the consumer survey, the confidence climate index decreased in April 2016 from 114.9 to 114.2. All components decreased: economic from 142.7 to 140.5, personal from 105.7 to 104.8, current from 111.1 to 110.0 and the future component from 120.6 to 120.2. The balance concerning expectations on unemployment increased from 12 to 21 over the past month. The balance on inflation perceptions referring to the last 12 months was stable (at -36) and the balance on inflation expectations for the next 12 months lowered from -30 to -33.
With regard to business surveys, the composite business confidence climate index (IESI, Istat Economic Sentiment Indicator) increased from 100.2 in March to 102.7.
The confidence index in manufacturing rose from 102.2 to 102.7. Production expectations improved (from 9 to 10), while assessments on order books worsened (from -13 to -14 ) and inventories remained stable (at 4).
The confidence index in construction rose from 118.4 to 121.2. Assessments on order books and construction plans and employment expectations improved (from -37 to -35 and from -7 to -5, respectively).
The market services confidence index rose from 103.6 to 107.8. The index increased in Transportation and storage (from 112.0 to 117.7), in Tourism services (from 96.2 to 110.8), in Information and communication (from 101.8 to 103.7) while it decreased in Business services and Other services (from 102.8 to 102.2).
The retail trade confidence index fell from 104.9 to 102.0. The index decreased both in small and medium scale distribution (from 106.1 to 103.2) and in the large scale distribution (from 104.1 to 101.3).