Italy's consumer confidence rises in Sept, business sentiment mixed

Italy’s consumer confidence index rose to 96.8 in September 2025 from 96.2 in August, with improvements in the economic, current, and future components. The economic climate gained from 97 to 98.8, the current from 99.2 to 99.9, and the future from 92.2 to 92.6, while the personal climate remained stable at 96, Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (Istat) data showed.

The overall business confidence climate, Istat Economic Sentiment Indicator (IESI) inched up slightly to 93.7 from 93.6. Within sectors, the manufacturing confidence index held at 87.3, firms reported better order book levels (balance -20.5 to -19.7) but weaker expectations for future production (0.4 to -0.4), while inventories were unchanged at 2.7.

Employment expectations softened (7.5 to 7). Market services sentiment edged up from 95.1 to 95.6, supported by optimism on future order books (balance 1.4 to 6). However, views on current business trends and order books worsened, with balances dropping from 2 to 0.3 and from 1.1 to -0.2, respectively, Istat said in a release.

Retail trade confidence continued to decline, slipping to 101.6 from 102.7. Respondents downgraded their outlook on current business trends (balance 15.7 to 7.9) but reported better assessments of inventories (8.8 to 9.6) and future sales expectations (22 to 27.1).

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)