In September 2013 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, increased to 83.3 from 82.0 in August.
The confidence index in manufacturing rose to 96.6 from 93.4. Assessments on order books and production expectations improved (from -32 to -28 and from -1 to 3, respectively); inventories passed from 0 to -1.
The confidence index in construction rose to 78.6 from 76.4. Assessments on order books and construction plans and employment expectations increased (from -52 to -49 and from -18 to -16, respectively).
The market services confidence index rose to 80.8 from 79.8 in August. The index increased in Tourism services (from 69.0 to 75.8) while it decreased in Transportation and storage (from 80.9 to 79.4), in Information and communication (from 82.8 to 81.4) and in Business services and other services (from 80.3 to 80.2).
The retail trade confidence index rose to 91.1 from 86.6 in August. The confidence increased in large scale distribution (from 81.2 to 90.3) and in small and medium scale distribution (from 93.2 to 94.9).