21/7/2011 00:00:00
In July 2011 the index of consumer confidence dropped to 103.7 from 105.8 in June. The decline was due in particular to the worsening future climate and economic framework, whose indicators fall, respectively, from 93.6 to 87.9 and from 78.3 to 75.1. Worsens also the personal climate decreased from 120.1 to 118.8. Improve, however, opinions on the current framework, with the index increasing from 116.2 to 117.1. Worsened, in particular, the short-term forecasts on the country and the family economic situation, the evolution of the labor market and the opportunities for savings. Judgments about the current economic situation of the country and one’s own family are stable, while improving the evaluations on the current suitability of savings. As for durable goods, both the judgments about the immediate purchasing convenience, and the short-term expectations worsened. On the basis of the usual quarterly questions, buying intentions for all categories of expenditure covered (car, housing and expenses for maintenance) worsened. The balance of the judgments on the dynamics of consumer prices marked a moderate decline, while the forecasts on inflation recorded a rise. Confidence worsens, albeit with different intensity, in the Center-South and North-west, improves in the North-east.