Business confidence reaches 3-year high

(ANSA) - Rome, July 28 - Italian business confidence has reached its highest level in three years, Istat said Monday. The national statistics agency said its business-confidence index climbed to 90.9 points this month, the highest since August 2011 and up from 88.2 points in June. It said that optimism was up in the market services, construction and retail sectors, but slightly down among manufacturing firms. The agency added that confidence among retailers was at its highest level since April 2011.
    The figures will boost hopes Italy is finally on course to recover from its longest postwar recession.