Italy’s manufacturing confidence indicator edged higher to 88.8 in March 2026 from 88.5 in the previous month. Assessments of order books (-17.4 vs -19.1 in February) and production levels (-15.7 vs -16.7) became less pessimistic, while the assessments of finished goods inventories edged lower (2.2 vs 2.5). Looking ahead, manufacturers’ expectations for production (1.5 vs 2.5) weakened, while employment remained unchanged (-0.9%). Inflation expectations climbed to 12.2 from 8.6 in February, reflecting rising cost pressures. Meanwhile, confidence in other sectors, particularly construction (103.6 vs 103.1) and market services (102.7 vs 102.1) remained strong, while retail trade confidence (100.6 vs 104.9) fell sharply. source: National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT)

Business Confidence in Italy increased to 88.80 points in March from 88.50 points in February of 2026. Business Confidence in Italy averaged 90.86 points from 1991 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 107.34 points in February of 1995 and a record low of 63.30 points in March of 2009. This page provides the latest reported value for - Italy Business Confidence - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Italy Business Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Business Confidence in Italy increased to 88.80 points in March from 88.50 points in February of 2026. Business Confidence in Italy is expected to be 86.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Italy Business Confidence is projected to trend around 91.00 points in 2027 and 95.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-26 09:00 AM
Business Confidence
Feb 88.5 89.2 89.5
2026-03-26 09:00 AM
Business Confidence
Mar 88.8 88.5 86
2026-04-29 08:00 AM
Business Confidence
Apr 88.8


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Business Confidence 88.80 88.50 points Mar 2026
Capacity Utilization 74.70 75.00 percent Mar 2026
Changes in Inventories 5003.00 1180.10 EUR Million Dec 2025
Industrial Production YoY 0.50 -0.60 percent Feb 2026
Industrial Production MoM 0.10 -0.60 percent Feb 2026
Manufacturing Production 0.95 -2.16 percent Feb 2026
Industrial Sales YoY -0.30 0.60 percent Jan 2026
Mining Production 0.84 -3.35 percent Feb 2026


Italy Business Confidence
In Italy, the Manufacturing Confidence Index covers 4,000 Italian companies. The questionnaire focuses on the current trend of order books, production and inventories, short-term forecasts on order books, production, prices and the general economic situation. The business confidence index is adjusted for seasonal effects and fixed to a base year of 2005. The value 100 indicates no evolution in business sentiment, a value over 100 shows increasing confidence and a value under 100 indicates low expectations.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
88.80 88.50 107.34 63.30 1991 - 2026 points Monthly
2021=100, SA

News Stream
Italy Manufacturing Confidence Slightly Improves
Italy’s manufacturing confidence indicator edged higher to 88.8 in March 2026 from 88.5 in the previous month. Assessments of order books (-17.4 vs -19.1 in February) and production levels (-15.7 vs -16.7) became less pessimistic, while the assessments of finished goods inventories edged lower (2.2 vs 2.5). Looking ahead, manufacturers’ expectations for production (1.5 vs 2.5) weakened, while employment remained unchanged (-0.9%). Inflation expectations climbed to 12.2 from 8.6 in February, reflecting rising cost pressures. Meanwhile, confidence in other sectors, particularly construction (103.6 vs 103.1) and market services (102.7 vs 102.1) remained strong, while retail trade confidence (100.6 vs 104.9) fell sharply.
2026-03-26
Italy Manufacturing Confidence Drops in February
Italy's manufacturing confidence indicator fell to 88.5 in February 2026 from 89.2 in the previous month. Assessments of order books (-19.3 vs -18.1 in January) and production levels (-17.7 vs -17.5) became more negative, while finished goods inventories rose (2.5 vs 2.1), pointing to slower sales. Looking ahead, manufacturers’ expectations for production (2.7 vs 3.2) and employment (-0.9 vs -0.2) deteriorated. Inflation expectations also increased (8.5 vs 7.3), reflecting rising cost pressures. Meanwhile, prospects for liquidity improved slightly (-8.0 vs -8.3).
2026-02-26
Italy Manufacturing Confidence Improves
Italy's manufacturing confidence indicator rose to 89.2 in January 2026, from an upwardly revised 88.5 in the previous month, slightly exceeding market expectations of 89. The current assessment of orders was less pessimistic (-17.9 vs -20.2 in December), as was the assessment of production levels (-16.9 vs -17.5). In addition, the current assessment of finished goods inventories strengthened (2.1 vs 1.6). Expectations for future production strengthened (3.2 vs 2.8), and concerns over price developments eased slightly (7.3 vs 7.4). Manufacturers were also slightly less pessimistic regarding future employment (-0.2 vs -0.3). Starting with the January 2026 survey, some questions will be removed from the questionnaire. As a result, internal orders level, expectations on orders and demand, and opinions on the Italian economy will no longer be published.
2026-01-28