Italy: Business sentiment hits over one-year high in April
The National Institute of Statistics (Istat)’s composite business confidence indicator (Clima di Fiducia delle Imprese Italiane, IESE)—which covers the manufacturing, construction, market services and retail sectors—increased to 97.3 in April, from March’s 94.2, marking the best reading since February last year. April’s reading reflected a broad-based improvement, with sentiment strengthening in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Moreover, confidence also improved in the retail trade and market services sectors.