Istat: consumer and business confidence improves in January

Milan, 28 January (LaPresse) – In January 2026, the consumer confidence index rose slightly from 96.6 to 96.8, and the composite indicator of business confidence increased from 96.6 to 97.6, according to Istat. Among consumers, there was a slight improvement in opinions on the national economic situation and the future outlook, while assessments of the current and personal situation were more cautious: the economic climate rose from 97.0 to 97.4 and the future climate rose from 91.6 to 92.3; the personal climate rose from 96.4 to 96.6 and the current climate remained essentially stable. “In the first month of 2026, there was a slight improvement in consumer sentiment and a more marked improvement in business sentiment; the favourable trend in the latter was driven mainly by the market services sector and, to a lesser extent, by the manufacturing sector; in the retail sector, however, entrepreneurs’ assessments were negative overall, both in large-scale distribution and in traditional distribution. As for consumers, the slight increase is supported by expectations regarding the general economic situation (including unemployment) and assessments of their personal economic situation, as well as improved opinions on the opportunity/possibility of saving,” is Istat’s comment on the data.