The mood of Italian consumers and companies deteriorated noticeably in September. The consumer climate fell by 3.5 points to 94.8 points, as reported by the Istat statistics office in Rome on Wednesday. Analysts had expected a decline, but estimated it to be somewhat more moderate.
Sentiment in companies clouded over from 109.2 to 105.2 points. The assessments deteriorated in industry, among service providers and in retail. Only in the construction industry was the mood a little better. (dpa)