Italy's consumer and business confidence both fell sharply in April, signalling rising pessimism about the country's economic outlook, national statistics agency Istat said on Tuesday. The consumer confidence index dropped from 95.0 to 92.7, while the composite business confidence indicator fell to 91.5 from 93.2. Sentiment deteriorated across all consumer components, particularly expectations about the general economic situation, which slid to 89.6 from 93.2. Business sentiment worsened most in market services, down to 91.4 from 94.3, weighed by a steep decline in tourism. Retail trade confidence also weakened, falling to 101.8 from 103.8, driven by poor sales perceptions and rising inventories. Confidence in manufacturing edged slightly lower to 85.7, while construction sentiment declined to 103.6 from 104.6. Employment expectations worsened in construction, while optimism over sales moderately improved in retail. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
