In April 2022, the consumer confidence index slipped from 100.8 to 100.0. Compared to March, the economic, the personal and the current climate decreased (from 98.2 to 97.3, from 101.7 to 100.9 and from 105.7 to 100.8, respectively), while the future one bettered (from 93.5 to 98.9).
Regarding the business confidence climate, the index (IESI, Istat Economic Sentiment Indicator) slightly increased from 105.3 to 105.5.
The confidence climate in manufacturing remained virtually stable passing from 110.1 to 110.0. In particular, the opinions on order books worsened and the expectations on future production marginally increased (the related balances passed from 7.3 to 5.8 and from 6.4 to 6.9 respectively). Finally, the level of inventories declined (the balance of the variable went down from -0.4 to -0.9).
The confidence index in construction slightly improved moving from 160.1 to 160.6. Firms gave overall less negative assessments on order books/construction plans, but revised down their expectations on employment (the balance of the first variable rose from 2.3 to 5.9, whereas the one of the second lowered from 9.2 to 6.2).
The market services confidence reduced from 98.9 to 97.0. On the whole, firms showed concern as to both the current order books and the current business trend (the related balances went down from 3.9 to 0.1 and from 0.1 to -2.3, respectively). Encouraging indications emerged, on the contrary, from the opinions on the future order books (the balance of the variable lightly increased from 3.6 to 3.9).
The retail trade confidence index started growing again passing from 100.1 to 103.4. Negative indications still came from assessments on the current business trend, whereas a new optimism emerged from the future trend in sales (the balance of the variables varied from 0.9 to -4.3 and from 8.7 to 19.0, respectively). Lastly, the volume of inventories was considered to have decreased further (the balance of the variable diminished, in fact, from 2.2 to -2.7).