2026.05.2708:14:08UTC+00Italy Industrial Sales Growth Hits 6-Month High

Italy’s industrial turnover rose by 2.0% month-on-month in March 2026, the strongest increase in six months and a marked acceleration from the downwardly revised 0.5% gain recorded in February. Domestic sales rebounded sharply, advancing 2.3% after a 0.2% decline in February, more than offsetting a slight moderation in foreign sales growth (1.5% vs. 1.8% previously).

On an annual basis, industrial turnover adjusted for calendar effects jumped 4.4%, following a 0.5% increase in the prior month. The upturn was broad-based, with domestic sales climbing 4.5% after a 0.4% rise and foreign sales expanding 4.1% compared with 0.7% in February.

By main industrial grouping, energy posted particularly strong growth, surging 25.3%. Capital goods and intermediate goods also recorded solid gains, rising 5.8% and 4.9%, respectively, while consumer goods turnover fell by 1.4%.

In the services sector, turnover increased by 1.3% month-on-month in March, recovering from a 0.1% decline in February. The improvement was driven mainly by a renewed rise in wholesale trade, where turnover advanced 2.1% after edging down 0.1% in the previous month.