September saw an improved performance among Italy's manufacturers, although the overall picture remained one of only modest growth. Output rose at a slightly quicker rate than in August as new orders returned to expansion, led by a stronger increase in new business from abroad. The pace of job creation also quickened, though remained only moderate overall. Elsewhere, input price inflation was at a 14-month high but still muted by historical standards.

The headline Markit Italy Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index® (PMI® ) - a single-figure measure of developments in overall business conditions - moved to 51.0 September, improving on August's 49.8, which was the first sub-50 reading in over one-and-a-half years.