Italy’s main econ indicators at pre-crisis levels, outlook uncertain – ISTAT

ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s leading economic indicators have returned to levels last seen before the coronavirus health emergency but prospects for the coming months remain uncertain, national statistics bureau ISTAT said in its monthly report on Friday.

Italian gross domestic product jumped a much stronger-than-expected 16.1% in the third quarter from the previous three months, data showed last week, reflecting the end of the lockdown.

However, the recovery now risks being derailed by a fresh surge of COVID-19 infections hitting Italy and many other European countries. Rome is forecasting a full-year economic contraction of 9% this year due to the epidemic.