Business confidence

In July 2014 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 90.9 from 88.2 in June.

The confidence index in manufacturing fell to 99.7 from 99.9. Production expectations improved  (from 6 to 8) while assessments on order books worsened (from -21 to -23); inventories remained stable (to 0).

The confidence index in construction rose to 83.2 from 81.6. Employment expectations improved (from -22 to -14) while assessments on order books and construction plans worsened (from -44 to  -45).

The market services confidence index rose to 92.5 from 88.1. The index increased in Transportation and storage (from 108.6 to 117.3) and in Business services and other services (from 88.7 to 94.2) while it decreased in Tourism services (from 81.0 to 75.1) and in Information and communication (from 76.7 to 67.5)

The retail trade confidence index rose to 101.8 from 101.4. The confidence remained stable in the large-scale distribution (to 101.0) and in small and medium scale distribution (to 102.7).