The confidence of Italian consumers is falling again. The Istat index for December stops at 96,2 points, against 98,2 in November. However, the Statistical Institute points out that the assessments on the economic component improve from 91,7 to 93,0, while the assessments of the personal situation worsen from 101,1 to 97,3.
The current climate indicator drops from 99,2 to 95,0 and that for the future is substantially stable (from 97,3 to 97,4). Territorially, the climate of confidence worsens in the North-West, in the North-East and in the Centre, while it is stationary in the South and Islands.
The balance on assessments relating to the country's economic situation decreased from -123 to -128, while expectations improved from -23 to -18. Bad expectations on unemployment (from 74 to 67) and on the family budget (from -18 to -24).
The indicators relating to opinions on present and future savings opportunities also decreased, passing respectively from 140 to 132 and from -53 to -58. Assessments of possible purchases of durable goods show a balance that decreases from -82 to -91.
As for the assessments on the recent evolution of consumer prices, the survey is slightly up (from 32 to 33). Lastly, assessments of the evolution of prices over the next twelve months have not undergone any changes with respect to the previous month (the balance is equal to -11).
