Overview
- ISTAT, which reported Tuesday’s figures, said industrial production rose 0.7% from February and 1.5% from a year earlier, topping forecasts.
- Output over January to March fell 0.2% versus the prior three months, showing the quarter remained weak despite March’s gain.
- Transport equipment led the advance with roughly an 11% yearly rise driven by autos, while chemicals fell about 7.8% and energy supply also declined.
- Factory‑gate prices jumped in March, up 4.4% on the month and 4.2% on the year, after US and Israeli strikes on Iran pushed up energy costs.
- Confidence softened as April’s consumer index slid to 90.8 and business sentiment to 95.2, and the government lowered its growth outlook to 0.6% for this year and next.