Household income up 0.2% in 2014

(ANSA) - Rome, April 2 - Italian households disposable income increased 0.2% in 2014, Istat said on Thursday. The national statistics agency said income dropped 0.4% in the fourth quarter with respect to the previous three months, but was up 0.8% on the same period in 2013. But last year's increase in income did not translate into greater spending power. Istat said that Italian households's purchasing power was flat last year with respect to 2013 when inflation is accounted for. It added that purchasing power was 0.5% down in the fourth quarter of 2014 with respect to the previous three months, but 0.8% up on the same period in 2013.