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Subdued sales environment weighs on Italy's goods-producing sector
The Italian manufacturing sector remained in contraction in September. The downturn deepened following faster declines in output levels, new orders and pre-production inventories. Despite the overall deterioration in the health of the sector, manufacturers raised headcounts at one of the most pronounced rates seen for around two-and-a-half years. Nevertheless, confidence towards future output declined notably. Turning to prices, costs rose marginally in September and selling prices were reduced, albeit only slightly. The HCOB Italy Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ IndexTM (PMI®), a composite single-figure ... (full story)