27/9/2011 00:00:00
According to Istat, in September the index of consumers’ confidence dropped to 98.5 from 100.3 in August. The decline was widespread on all components, and more marked for the economic climate, where the index decreased from 70.0 to 67.8; reliance on the personal situation falls from 116.2 to 114.4. The current climate index fell from 112.1 to 109.7, while that for the short-term expectations in the complex marks a slight decrease (from 87.5 to 87.2). Worsen evaluations, present and future, on economic situation of the country and the family, as well as judgments on family budget and current savings opportunity. Deteriorate, albeit with less intensity, also the expected evolution of the labor market. Improve, however, expectations regarding durable goods market and future savings intentions. The balances of the opinions on the recent consumer price evolution and those of the forecasts of their future dynamic record an increase over the previous month. Confidence worsens in almost all areas and the deterioration is particularly intense in the South. Only in the Northeast there is a slight recovery.