Consumer confidence drops in April (2)

(ANSA) - Rome, April 27 - Istat said Wednesday that its consumer confidence index dropped to 114.2 points this month, down from 114.9 in March. The business-confidence index, on the other hand, rose from 100.2 points to 102.7. The national statistics agency said confidence rose in all business sectors except for retail, down to 102 points from 104.9.
    Consumer associations said that data was alarming.
    "The consumer confidence climate is deteriorating and if it is Istat, which is generally optimistic on this issue, that says so, it means that things are going really badly," said the Federconsumatori and Adusbef associations.