Italy’s manufacturing confidence indicator inched up to 88.8 in March 2026 from 88.5 in February. Assessments of order books (-17.4 vs -19.1) and production levels (-15.7 vs -16.7) became less negative, while evaluations of finished goods inventories eased slightly (2.2 vs 2.5). However, forward-looking assessments were more cautious: manufacturers’ expectations for future production weakened (1.5 vs 2.5), and employment expectations were unchanged at -0.9%. Inflation expectations rose markedly, climbing to 12.2 from 8.6 in February, signalling intensifying cost pressures.
Elsewhere in the economy, business sentiment was generally more resilient. Confidence remained solid in construction (103.6 vs 103.1) and in market services (102.7 vs 102.1), while retail trade confidence declined sharply to 100.6 from 104.9.
