The S&P Global Italy Composite PMI rose to 53.6 in August 2026 from 52.5 in July, marking the fastest expansion in private-sector activity since November 2025 and the second-strongest reading in more than three years. The upturn was driven by a more robust services sector, which more than offset a renewed contraction in manufacturing output. New business showed a similar trend, as the decline in new orders among goods producers gathered pace. Employment growth accelerated to its strongest rate in over two years, while the reduction in backlogs of work remained moderate. Inflationary pressures continued to ease, though business confidence slipped to a three-month low.