Italy's PMI index up in May (7)

(ANSA) - Rome, June 1 - The purchasing managers index (PMI) of the Italian manufacturing sector rose to 45.4 points in May from 31.1 in April, IHS Markit research company said Monday.
    This was above what economists had predicted, 36.8 points.
    But it remained amply below 50 points, economists noted.
    In May 2019 the index was at 49.7 points.
    Meanwhile a Conftrasporto-Confcommercio report on March and April data showed that 1.8 billion euros in turnover had been lost by the haulage sector this year due to the coronavirus crisis.
    The 'birth rate' for Italian road transport companies was negative to the tune of over 30%, the survey said.