Preliminary data Thursday showed Italy's economy expanded 0.2% QoQ in Q2, above
economists' 0.1% forecast, and GDP rose 1.0% YoY versus an expected 0.7%. Istat
said domestic demand was the main positive contributor, offsetting a negative
trade impulse. The preliminary release gave no detailed breakdown but said
services grew while industry and agriculture contracted. Istat noted the
outperformance occurred despite sharply higher energy costs linked to the Iran
conflict.
