By Alessandra Cardone
ROME, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The confidence climate among both Italian consumers and businesses remained essentially stable in July, the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) revealed on Thursday.
The overall consumer confidence index grew slightly from 116.2 points to 116.3 points against June, resulting from a balance between a drop in economic and future components and an improvement in personal and current components.
Yet, expectations on unemployment among Italian consumers worsened in July, with an increase from 9.5 points to 12.3 points.
As for the business survey, the composite confidence climate index "stayed basically stable", showing a small decrease from 105.5 points to 105.4 points, according to ISTAT.
The manufacturing confidence index remained at 106.9 points in July, as in the previous month; production expectations increased among firms in the sector from 12.4 to 13.6 points, and the balance of inventories improved as well.
However, assessment on order books worsened by 2 points.
Construction showed a "clear improvement" of the confidence climate. The overall index grew from 132.9 to 139.9 points, and increases were showed by assessments on order books, construction plans, and employment expectations as well.
In its monthly report, ISTAT highlighted the positive signals registered in the sector.
"The growth of the confidence index in construction is strengthening," the agency said in a short comment.
"The index in the period January-July 2018 stands by 3 percentage points above the level registered in the second semester of 2017."
Considering sub-sectors, ISTAT further noted "a vigorous dynamics" in buildings construction and even more in specialized construction activities, including renovations.
