Among its components, a slight improvement was observed in the personal confidence climate and the current one—from 96.3 to 96.6 and from 99 to 99.2 respectively—while unfavourable signals came from both economic index and future climates index, with the former diminishing from 103.9 to 99.7 and the latter from 97.4 to 95.

With reference to the business confidence climate, the Istat economic sentiment indicator recorded a decrease passing from 95.6 to 93.4 in October.

The manufacturing confidence climate worsened from 86.6 to 85.8 in the month.

Particularly, compared to the previous month, assessments on order books were less favourable and also expectations on the future level of production weakened. However, firms indicated a decrease of stock level.

Firms gave more optimistic opinions about both future employment and assessments on order books, an Istat release noted.

Expectations on volume of order books also gave less favourable indications.

The retail trade confidence climate rose from 102.3 to 103.7 in the month. In particular, the balances of current and future business activity got up—from 13.4 to 14.2 and from 23.3 to 24.2 respectively—while the one of assessments on inventories reduced from 9 to 6.4.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)