The Italians don't believe it, the Germans do. There consumer confidence it is an important thermometer for understanding the conditions of the real economy and the latest data tell a lot about the abyss that separates our country from Germany. According to a monthly research carried out by the GfK Institute, the data relating to German morals it will recover next month (after the slight decline recorded in January) thanks to the momentary return of calm to the financial markets.
In detail, this month the indicator fell to 5,7 points from the 5,8 recorded in December, but it seems destined to rise again to 5,8 points in February. The trend perfectly reflects the estimates of analysts, who predict the first increase for next month after three consecutive months of decline.
"German consumers begin 2013 with renewed optimism", they are betting on the "temporary lull in the situation on the financial markets, which seems to be increasing confidence", writes the GFK Institute, noting that at the end of 2012 the economic situation in Germany appeared difficult, but consumers believe in its recovery during the year.
Yesterday instead Istat has provided a framework far more bleak than what is happening in Italy, where in January the consumer confidence climate index dropped to 84,6 points from 85,7 in December. This is the lowest level ever recorded. And the historical series began in 1996.
