Italy’s manufacturing confidence indicator fell to 87.9 in April 2026 from a downwardly revised 88.7 in the previous month, slightly below market expectations of 88. This marked the weakest reading since September 2025, weighed down by uncertainty over persistent tensions in the Middle East. Both assessments of total order books (-19.4 vs -17.8 in March) and expectations for production levels (0.7 vs 1.4) deteriorated. Price growth expectations also worsened amid high energy prices (24.9 vs 12.9). Meanwhile, employment prospects remained stable (0 vs -0.9). On a broader level, overall business confidence weakened (95.2 vs 97.3), with sentiment in construction (100.9 vs 103.6) and market services (99.1 vs 102.6) also declining. In contrast, retail trade confidence improved slightly (100.8 vs 100.5). source: National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT)

Business Confidence in Italy decreased to 87.90 points in April from 88.70 points in March of 2026. Business Confidence in Italy averaged 90.85 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 May of 2026.

Business Confidence in Italy decreased to 87.90 points in April from 88.70 points in March of 2026. Business Confidence in Italy is expected to be 88.00 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
2026-03-26 09:00 AM
Business Confidence
Mar 88.8 88.5 86
2026-04-29 08:00 AM
Business Confidence
Apr 87.9 88.7 88 86.8
2026-05-28 08:00 AM
Business Confidence
May 87.9 87.5 87.3


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Business Confidence 87.90 88.70 points Apr 2026
Capacity Utilization 74.70 75.00 percent Mar 2026
Changes in Inventories 5003.00 1180.10 EUR Million Dec 2025
Industrial Production YoY 1.50 0.40 percent Mar 2026
Industrial Production MoM 0.70 0.20 percent Mar 2026
Manufacturing Production 2.03 0.95 percent Mar 2026
Industrial Sales YoY 0.60 -0.20 percent Feb 2026
Mining Production 6.71 -8.54 percent Mar 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
87.90 88.70 107.34 63.30 1991 - 2026 points Monthly
2021=100, SA

News Stream
Italy Manufacturing Confidence Falls to 7-Month Low
Italy’s manufacturing confidence indicator fell to 87.9 in April 2026 from a downwardly revised 88.7 in the previous month, slightly below market expectations of 88. This marked the weakest reading since September 2025, weighed down by uncertainty over persistent tensions in the Middle East. Both assessments of total order books (-19.4 vs -17.8 in March) and expectations for production levels (0.7 vs 1.4) deteriorated. Price growth expectations also worsened amid high energy prices (24.9 vs 12.9). Meanwhile, employment prospects remained stable (0 vs -0.9). On a broader level, overall business confidence weakened (95.2 vs 97.3), with sentiment in construction (100.9 vs 103.6) and market services (99.1 vs 102.6) also declining. In contrast, retail trade confidence improved slightly (100.8 vs 100.5).
2026-04-29
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