ITALY DEC MANUF. PMI 48.5 (FCST 48.6); NOV 48.4
Italy saw a marginal 0.1-point improvement to 48.5 in the December manufacturing PMI, inching up for a second consecutive month.
Highlights from the press release:
- December marked six months of contractive manufacturing activity as weak demand conditions saw production fall, albeit at a softer pace into year-end.
- Order books fell sharply again in December, however at the slowest rate of decrease since May. Backlogs continued to decline, signalling spare capacity on the back of low demand.
- Employment increased marginally.
- Prices remained elevated, although the rate of inflation was the softest since late 2020.
- Optimism strengthened to a 7-month high, amidst initial signs of improved future demand.
- Final prints for France, Germany and the Eurozone saw a 0.3-point uptick for France to 49.2, and a 0.3-point weaker final German PMI at 47.1.