Table of Contents:
An uncertain economic environment
The international economy is going through a period of stable growth, but with high levels of uncertainty. Geo-economic tensions, in fact, represent a significant risk for many countries, including Italy. According to preliminary estimates by ISTAT, in the third quarter of 2024, Italian gross domestic product (GDP) remained substantially unchanged compared to the previous three months. This result is worrying, since it is below the performance of the main European partners and the euro area average
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Declining production and employment
Another worrying sign comes from the manufacturing sector. In September, production registered a decrease of 0.4% compared to the previous month, after an August characterized by zero change. This drop in production is accompanied by a decline in employment, which saw a decrease after three months of continuous growth. The decline affected several categories, including men, women and the 35-49 age group, highlighting a difficult situation for the Italian labor market
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Inflation and consumer prices
In Italy, the harmonized consumer price index showed slower growth than the average for the euro area and the main European economies. This trend suggests that, although there are signs of inflation, Italy is facing a situation of economic stagnation that could negatively affect consumers’ purchasing power. The combination of stagnant economic growth and moderate inflation creates a complex environment for future economic policies
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European stock exchanges and the future of the Italian economy
The recent market sessions showed a cautious attitude on the part of investors, especially after the Federal Reserve meeting. In this context, Piazza Affari positioned itself as the rear end, with the Ftse Mib recording a decline of 0.7%. This scenario highlights the challenges that the Italian economy must face, not only internally but also in relation to the performance of European stock exchanges and global monetary policies
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