Italian industrial sales drop in November, but new orders jump

Sales in Italy´s industrial sector dropped in November, with turnover from both domestic and overseas clients retreating.

Industrial sales in the euro area´s third-largest economy shrank by 1.1% month-on-month, with sales to both domestic and foreign clients falling by the same amount, according to the country´s national statistics office, ISTAT.

In terms of quarterly rates of change, sales were lower by 0.7%, with domestic sales weakest and sporting a fall of 0.8%. Foreign sales were off by a smaller 0.4%.

Versus a year ago industrial sales increased by 0.8%.

However, an index of new orders jumped by 1.6% month-on-month, led by a 4.4% rise in domestic orders while those from overseas clients fell by 2.5%.

Total new orders declined by 1.8% over the quarter but were 12.1% higher in comparison to a year ago.