27/7/2011 00:00:00
According to Istat, in July 2011 the seasonally adjusted index of confidence in the manufacturing sector falls to 98.5 from 100.5 in June. The ratings on the orders get worse, while those on the level of inventories remain stable, and production expectations fall slightly. The index decreased from 98.6 to 97.1 in capital goods, from 100.6 to 99.7 in consumer goods and intermediate goods 104.5 to 102.2. According to the usual questions on the quarterly capacity, in the second quarter of the degree of capacity utilization drops to 71.6% from 72.8% in the first quarter of 2011. The duration of assured production based on the current backlog decreased from 3.3 to 3.2 months. In the second quarter, the share of workers who report the presence of obstacles to production decreases from 39 to 37%. In June 2011 the seasonally adjusted index of confidence in construction businesses falls to 74.4 from 80.5 in May. Both the opinions on orders and / or construction plans, and employment expectations worsened. The index dropped to 58.9 from 68.8 in the construction of buildings, from 80.5 to 68.9 in civil engineering, and from 95.2 to 93.4 in specialized construction work. According to the usual quarterly question, the duration of activity secured by construction works in progress or to be performed decreases from 8.6 to 7.8 months.