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Fibre2Fashion
a day ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Retail trade weakens but manufacturing lifts Italian outlook
Italy's consumer confidence index dipped slightly in June 2025, easing to 96.1 from 96.5 in May, according to the latest data released by Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (Istat). The decline was driven by drops in both the current climate (from 98.6 to 97.9) and personal climate (from 96.1 to 94.8) components. However, economic sentiment rose from 97.5 to 99.6, and the outlook remained steady at 93.7. Retail trade sentiment slipped to 101.9 from 102.8. While assessments on current sales improved (up from 15.1 to 19), business trend expectations deteriorated sharply (dropping from 21.7 to 14.7). Inventory levels saw a marginal decline. Italy's consumer confidence edged down to 96.1 in June 2025, weighed by weaker personal and current sentiment, despite improved economic outlook, as per Istat. Retail trade sentiment declined, led by falling business expectations. In contrast, the Economic Sentiment Indicator rose to 93.9. Manufacturing and market services showed moderate gains. However, business confidence presented a more upbeat picture, with Istat's Economic Sentiment Indicator (IESI) climbing from 93.1 to 93.9. Manufacturing confidence improved modestly, rising from 86.6 to 87.3, supported by stronger production expectations (balance up from -1.3 to 1), despite slightly weaker order book assessments and lower stock levels. Market services showed a positive trend, with confidence increasing to 95.6 from 94.5, as firms reported greater optimism in current business conditions and more favourable order book evaluations. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fibre2Fashion
3 days ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
EU's retail, consumer confidence down in June
The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) for the European Union (EU) dropped by 1 point to 94 in June 2025, while the euro area also saw a 0.8-point decline, according to data released by the European Commission. Both indicators remain below the long-term average of 100, reflecting subdued confidence across sectors. The dip in sentiment was driven primarily by weakening industry confidence, with modest declines in retail trade and consumer expectations, the Commission found in the latest Business and Consumer Survey. Among major EU economies, France recorded the sharpest decline of 3.4 points, followed by Spain with 1.4 and Germany down by 0.8, while Poland saw an increase of 1 point. EU's Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) fell to 94 in June 2025, reflecting weakened confidence, especially in industry. France saw the steepest decline among major economies. Retail and consumer sentiment also slipped. Selling price expectations fell across most sectors. The Economic Uncertainty Indicator dropped to 16.4, suggesting easing concerns. Industry confidence fell 1.1 points due to deteriorating assessments of order books, production expectations, and stock levels. Retail confidence slipped slightly, with lower business expectations outweighing a modest improvement in past business assessments. Consumer confidence remained broadly stable, though spending intentions weakened. Selling price expectations continued to fall in industry, services, and construction, though they rose in retail. The Economic Uncertainty Indicator (EUI) dropped by 2 points to 16.4, indicating easing concerns across most sectors, especially in services, construction, and industry. Consumers also reported lower financial uncertainty. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Europe's economic confidence dips again in March as services sector retreats
After a fleeting spell of stability, sentiment across the European economy weakened again in March. Fading optimism in services and retail sectors pushed confidence deeper below historical levels, casting doubt over the bloc's ability to shake off stagnation anytime soon. In a report shared Friday by the European Commission, the Economic Sentiment Indicator for March dropped 0.9 points in the European Union to 96.0, and 1.1 points in the euro area to 95.2—well below the long-term average of 100. The latter missed economic expectations of a rebound to 97. This also marks the second consecutive monthly decline and underscores mounting concerns over Europe's near-term economic outlook. The drop in sentiment was primarily fuelled by declines in confidence across services, retail trade and households. Services—the backbone of the eurozone economy—saw confidence tumble from 5.1 to 2.4 points, the sharpest monthly drop in four months. The reading missed expectations of a rise to 6.7. Related Eurozone business activity rises as Germany's manufacturing rebounds Euro falls as eurozone inflation sees downward revisions in February Managers reported a deterioration in their business situation, past demand and future demand expectations, suggesting cracks are forming in one of the most resilient parts of the economy. Retail confidence fell 1.8 points, dragged down by pessimism in expectations, current conditions and stock levels. While retail had remained relatively stable in previous months, March's sharp drop reflects growing caution among both businesses and consumers. Consumer sentiment, meanwhile, resumed its downward trend after a short-lived pause. The index fell by 0.9 to -14.5, matching estimates, as households across the bloc grew more pessimistic about their country's economic outlook and their own financial prospects. However, there was a modest uptick in intentions to make major purchases, suggesting some resilience in spending behaviour, likely linked to easing inflation and higher wage expectations. Cyprus recorded the highest Economic Sentiment Index at 106.3, while Germany witnessed the lowest at 89.4. The variations compared to February were not uniform across the bloc. France and Italy experienced the steepest declines, with sentiment down 2.1 and 2.0 points respectively. In contrast, Spain saw a notable improvement, gaining 1.1 points, while Germany and Poland posted marginal gains of 0.3 and 0.2. Sentiment in the Netherlands remained unchanged. Within the broader European Union, Czechia showed the strongest monthly gain in sentiment, with its ESI rising from 98.7 to 101.5, a 2.8-point jump. The Employment Expectations Indicator also slipped by 0.7 points in both the EU and euro area, falling further below its historical average. The decline was concentrated in retail trade, while expectations in industry, construction and services remained broadly flat. Despite softer hiring plans, consumers' own expectations around unemployment improved slightly, suggesting that labour market conditions may still be seen as relatively stable by the public. Interestingly, the Labour Hoarding Indicator—an index measuring the extent to which firms are retaining workers despite weak demand—remained unchanged at 10.4, staying above its long-term average of 9.7. This hints at a continued reluctance among companies to lay off staff, possibly due to difficulties in rehiring or an anticipation of future recovery. Price pressures remain elevated, yet with some differentiations within sectors. Managers' selling price expectations climbed in both industry and construction, though they fell slightly in services and held steady in retail. All four sectors still reported price expectations above long-term averages. From the household perspective, consumers' expectations for future price increases continued their strong upward trajectory, sustaining a trend that began in September 2024. In contrast, their perception of past price developments held steady, albeit at high levels. European equities extended their weekly slide during Friday morning trading, as investor sentiment remained pessimistic following US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25% tariff on automobile imports—set to take effect on top of new 'reciprocal tariffs' scheduled for next week. The Euro STOXX 50 index declined 0.7%, deepening its weekly loss to 1.6%, weighed down by sharp drops in major banks and leading automakers. Shares of Commerzbank fell 3.9%, Deutsche Bank slipped 2.6%, BBVA dropped 2.2% and Unicredit declined 1.8%. Among carmakers, Volkswagen AG lost 1.7%, BMW AG was down 1.5% and Mercedes-Benz AG slid 1%. Madrid's IBEX 35 was the region's worst performer, falling 0.9%. The euro weakened by 0.3% to 1.0770 levels against the dollar, heading for its sixth day of losses over the last seven. Sign in to access your portfolio
Euronews
29-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Europe's economic confidence dips again in March as services sector retreats
ADVERTISEMENT After a fleeting spell of stability, sentiment across the European economy weakened again in March. Fading optimism in services and retail sectors pushed confidence deeper below historical levels, casting doubt over the bloc's ability to shake off stagnation anytime soon. In a report shared Friday by the European Commission, the Economic Sentiment Indicator for March dropped 0.9 points in the European Union to 96.0, and 1.1 points in the euro area to 95.2—well below the long-term average of 100. The latter missed economic expectations of a rebound to 97. This also marks the second consecutive monthly decline and underscores mounting concerns over Europe's near-term economic outlook. The drop in sentiment was primarily fuelled by declines in confidence across services, retail trade and households. Services—the backbone of the eurozone economy—saw confidence tumble from 5.1 to 2.4 points, the sharpest monthly drop in four months. The reading missed expectations of a rise to 6.7. Related Eurozone business activity rises as Germany's manufacturing rebounds Euro falls as eurozone inflation sees downward revisions in February Managers reported a deterioration in their business situation, past demand and future demand expectations, suggesting cracks are forming in one of the most resilient parts of the economy. Retail confidence fell 1.8 points, dragged down by pessimism in expectations, current conditions and stock levels. While retail had remained relatively stable in previous months, March's sharp drop reflects growing caution among both businesses and consumers. Consumer sentiment, meanwhile, resumed its downward trend after a short-lived pause. The index fell by 0.9 to -14.5, matching estimates, as households across the bloc grew more pessimistic about their country's economic outlook and their own financial prospects. However, there was a modest uptick in intentions to make major purchases, suggesting some resilience in spending behaviour, likely linked to easing inflation and higher wage expectations. Which countries are losing confidence? Cyprus recorded the highest Economic Sentiment Index at 106.3, while Germany witnessed the lowest at 89.4. The variations compared to February were not uniform across the bloc. France and Italy experienced the steepest declines, with sentiment down 2.1 and 2.0 points respectively. In contrast, Spain saw a notable improvement, gaining 1.1 points, while Germany and Poland posted marginal gains of 0.3 and 0.2. Sentiment in the Netherlands remained unchanged. Within the broader European Union, Czechia showed the strongest monthly gain in sentiment, with its ESI rising from 98.7 to 101.5, a 2.8-point jump. ADVERTISEMENT Are European businesses still hiring? The Employment Expectations Indicator also slipped by 0.7 points in both the EU and euro area, falling further below its historical average. The decline was concentrated in retail trade, while expectations in industry, construction and services remained broadly flat. Despite softer hiring plans, consumers' own expectations around unemployment improved slightly, suggesting that labour market conditions may still be seen as relatively stable by the public. Interestingly, the Labour Hoarding Indicator—an index measuring the extent to which firms are retaining workers despite weak demand—remained unchanged at 10.4, staying above its long-term average of 9.7. This hints at a continued reluctance among companies to lay off staff, possibly due to difficulties in rehiring or an anticipation of future recovery. Are prices stabilising? Not quite Price pressures remain elevated, yet with some differentiations within sectors. ADVERTISEMENT Managers' selling price expectations climbed in both industry and construction, though they fell slightly in services and held steady in retail. All four sectors still reported price expectations above long-term averages. From the household perspective, consumers' expectations for future price increases continued their strong upward trajectory, sustaining a trend that began in September 2024. In contrast, their perception of past price developments held steady, albeit at high levels. European stocks fall as auto tariffs rattle market mood European equities extended their weekly slide during Friday morning trading, as investor sentiment remained pessimistic following US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25% tariff on automobile imports—set to take effect on top of new 'reciprocal tariffs' scheduled for next week. The Euro STOXX 50 index declined 0.7%, deepening its weekly loss to 1.6%, weighed down by sharp drops in major banks and leading automakers. ADVERTISEMENT Shares of Commerzbank fell 3.9%, Deutsche Bank slipped 2.6%, BBVA dropped 2.2% and Unicredit declined 1.8%. Among carmakers, Volkswagen AG lost 1.7%, BMW AG was down 1.5% and Mercedes-Benz AG slid 1%. Madrid's IBEX 35 was the region's worst performer, falling 0.9%. The euro weakened by 0.3% to 1.0770 levels against the dollar, heading for its sixth day of losses over the last seven.
