The Italian goods-producing sector hinted at a recovery in August, with HCOB survey data signalling an improvement in the health of the sector for the first time in nearly one-and-a-half years. The sector saw a noticeable rise in production volumes in August, which was the most marked in almost two-and-a-half years. The renewed uplift in overall order books was only mild, however, as the drag from export performance widened. Net employment decreased again, while business optimism faded. Prices data also indicated reductions in costs and charges. At 50.4, the HCOB Italy Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ IndexTM ... (full story)