In July this year, the seasonally adjusted confidence index in Italian manufacturing decreased to 87.1 from 88.7 in June, down 1.8 percent, according to Italy's national statistics office (Istat). Assessments on order books and production expectations worsened.
The index dipped from 90.4 to 89.7 for consumer goods, from 89.5 to 87.2 for intermediate goods and from 86.7 to 84.4 for instrumental goods, all month on month. The deterioration of order books is widespread, while the worsening of production expectations is principally centered on instrumental goods.