Business confidence

In October 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, decreased to 79.3 from 82.8 in September.

The confidence index in manufacturing rose to 97.3 from 96.8. Assessments on order books improved (from -28 to -27) and production expectations remained stable (to 4); inventories decreased (from -1 to -2).

The confidence index in construction rose to 80.8 from 78.9. Assessments on order books and construction plans improved (from -48 to -46), while employment expectations worsened (from     -16 to -19).

The market services confidence index fell to 74.7 from 79.9 in September. The index decreased in Transportation and storage (from 79.8 to 77.5), in Tourism services (from 76.3 to 66.5), in Information and communication (from 87.0 to 75.0) and in Business services and other services (from 81.4 to 72.8).

The retail trade confidence index fell to 89.0 from 91.8 in September. The confidence decreased in the large-scale distribution (from 88.6 to 87.7) and in small and medium scale distribution (from 94.4 to 90.6).