Business confidence

In February 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 77.4 from 80.0 in January.

The confidence index in manufacturing rose to 88.5 from 88.3. Assessments on order books and production expectations improved and inventories increased.

The confidence index in construction increased to 81.6 from 80.4. Employment expectations increased (from -15 to -13) while assessments on order books and construction plans decreased (from -50 to -51).

The market services confidence index fell to 73.8 from 78.7 in January. The index decreased in all sectors: in Transportation and storage (from 78.1 to 71.2), in Tourism services (from 67.4 to 65.5), in Information and communication (from 86.3 to 77.7), in Business services and other services (from 83.4 to 78.4).

The retail trade confidence index fell to 76.0 from 77.4 in January. The confidence increased in large scale distribution (from 62.5 to 63.7) while it decreased in small and medium scale distribution (from 89.6 to 87.7).