Italy moves toward steadier growth

(ANSA) - Rome, December 6 - The growth rate is stabilizing in Italy after it had slowed steadily throughout the rest of the year, Italy's national statistic institute ISTAT said Monday.
    GDP rose by 0.3% in the third quarter on the previous one and 1% on the year. Manufacturing and investment are recovering, ISTAT noted, while household consumption is still rising at +0.1% but retail sales were down by 0.6% in the period from July to September.
    Inflation oscillated around zero in this period. The labour market experience a ''slight reduction'' in the number of employed and confidence levels in manufacturing firms dropped in November compared to September. It is unclear what effect the constitutional referendum will have on the situation. However, ISTAT noted that it expected stabilization in the last quarter of the year.