Italian consumer sentiment improved in February, while business sentiment stagnated. Compared to January, the consumer climate increased by 3.1 points to 104.0 points, as reported by the Istat statistics office in Rome on Monday. Bank economists had expected an average of 101.3 points.
Business sentiment stagnated at 109.1 points. The indicators developed differently in the individual areas: In industry, the figure was flat at 102.8 points, while it rose in retail. Sentiment deteriorated in the construction and service sectors. (dpa)