30/8/2011 00:00:00
According to Istat, in August 2011 the seasonally adjusted index of confidence in the manufacturing sector rose to 99.9 from 98.8 in July. The ratings on orders improved, while production expectations deteriorated slightly, with the balance on the inventory unchanged. The index increased from 100.2 to 100.5 in consumer goods and from 97.1 to 98.0 in capital goods, but decreased from 102.0 to 100.3 in intermediate goods. In July 2011, the seasonally adjusted index of confidence in construction companies rose to 75.8 from 74.4 in June. The opinions on orders and / or construction plans remain largely stable and employment expectations improved. The index rose to 66.5 from 58.9 in the construction of buildings and from 69.0 to 77.3 in civil engineering, but decreases from 93.4 to 87.5 in specialized construction work.
