ROME, Jan 28 (Reuters) – Morale among Italian businesses and consumers rose in January, data showed on Wednesday, offering some prospect of firmer growth for the euro zone’s third largest economy.
National statistics institute ISTAT’s composite business morale index, combining surveys of the manufacturing, retail, construction and services sectors, increased to 97.6 this month, the highest level since January 2024, from 96.6 in December.
The sub-index for manufacturing rose to 89.2, above a forecast of 89.0 in Reuters’ survey of six analysts.
The consumer confidence index edged up to 96.8 from 96.6 the previous month, ISTAT said, below a median forecast of 97.0 in Reuters’ poll.
(Reporting by Antonella Cinelli, editing by Gavin Jones)
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