Italian Construction Sector Edges Down

The HCOB Italy Construction PMI rose to 50.4 in February 2026 from 47.7 in January, signaling a renewed expansion in construction activity after three months of contraction. Output growth was modest but marked the first increase since October, supported by improved order books and the launch of new building sites. Residential and commercial construction both recovered from earlier declines, with housing activity rising at the fastest pace in over a year and commercial building reaching an 11-month high, while civil engineering remained in contraction. New orders rose for the first time in four months and at the strongest pace since mid-2025, while employment continued to rise, extending a year-and-a-half stretch of job creation. On prices, input cost inflation accelerated for a fifth straight month to the highest level in over three years, largely due to rising raw material prices. Firms’ outlook for the next 12 months improved slightly but remained subdued by historical standards.

The HCOB Italy Construction PMI edged down to 47.7 in January 2026 from 47.9 in December, signaling a third straight month of contraction and slightly faster declines in activity, new orders, and purchasing. Housing remained the weakest segment, posting a substantial drop and weighing most on the headline index, while commercial building slipped modestly and civil engineering was the only area to record a small uptick. Order books fell at one of the steepest rates in over a year as uncertainty dampened demand, prompting firms to scale back input buying. Despite softer workloads, employment growth accelerated to a seven-month high as companies favored permanent staff. Input cost inflation picked up due to higher raw material and energy prices, though overall pressures stayed below long-run averages. Business confidence weakened but remained marginally positive, with firms citing expected future projects even as uncertainty around the PNRR deadline tempered sentiment.

The HCOB Italy Construction PMI fell to 47.9 in December 2025 from 48.2 in November, showing construction activity continued to contract as the year ended. This also marked the lowest reading since August, with all three sub-sectors remaining in decline. Housing again posted the steepest drop, while commercial and civil engineering activity weakened more modestly. New orders contracted for a second consecutive month at one of the fastest rates of 2025, leading firms to trim purchasing activity. Employment rose slightly, extending the hiring streak at a subdued pace, though subcontractor use fell. Supplier delivery times lengthened amid raw material shortages, and input costs rose at the fastest rate since May due to higher energy and material prices, yet overall cost pressures remained below long-term averages. Business confidence improved modestly on expected new projects in 2026, but sentiment stayed historically muted amid fragile demand.