Istat: consumer confidence rises in February, but a slight decline for businesses

In February, the consumer confidence indicator rose from 96.8 to 97.4, while the composite indicator of the business climate of confidence decreased from 97.7 to 97.4. This was announced by Istat, adding that among consumers there is an overall improvement in opinions, especially those on the economic situation of the country: the economic climate rises from 97.4 to 99.1, the personal climate increases from 96.6 to 96.8, the current climate rises from 100.1 to 100.7, and the future climate rises from 92.3 to 93.1. With reference to businesses, the confidence index increased in construction (from 99.9 to 103.1) and retail trade (from 102.5 to 105.1), while it decreased in manufacturing (from 89.2 to 88.5) and market services (from 103.5 to 102.2).

In February, "the business confidence index declined slightly, but still remains well above the 2025 average. The decline is driven by the general worsening of the opinions of entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector and, to a lesser extent, in the market services sector, while construction is growing strongly and returning to the levels of October 2025," is the comment of Istat.

The consumer confidence index "rose for the third consecutive month: all index components improved with the exception of evaluations (judgments and expectations) on the personal economic situation and those on the opportunity to save in the current phase. Expectations on unemployment worsened slightly".