The personal confidence index and the current one also diminished, passing from 98.3 to 95.7 and from 100.5 to 97.9 respectively, according to the official statistical agency Istat.
With reference to the business confidence climate, the index, i.e., Istat economic sentiment indicator, declined from 94.7 to 93.3.
The manufacturing confidence climate weakened from 86.9 to 86. More specifically, assessments expressed by operators on order books were unfavourable, while expectations on future production slightly improved. Inventories apparently increased, an Istat release said.
Negative expectations and assessments on order books continued to prevail and firms confirmed their unfavourable opinions on current business trend (the related balance decreased from 4.7 to 2.1).
The retail trade confidence climate remained virtually stable in March, edging down from 104 to 103.9. Compared to the previous month, respondents gave a less favourable assessment on current business activity (the relate balance sank from 21.1 to 14.8).
Expectations on the future volume of sales improved, while the level of inventories increased; the balances of the variables passed from 18.5 to 25.8 and from 6.6 to 7.8 respectively.
ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)
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