Italy's quarterly gross domestic product increased 0.3% in the first quarter, consistent with the prior three-month period, final data from statistics agency Istat showed Friday.
The reading is above the initial estimate of a 0.2% increase.
On a yearly basis, the Italian economy expanded 0.8% in the first quarter, against the initial reading of a 0.7% growth.
Italy's annual inflation rate increased to 3.2% in May from 2.7% in April, provisional data from statistics agency Istat showed Friday.The consensus estimate for the month was 3.2%.On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.4%, compared with the market forecast of a 0.1% increase and the prior 1.1% gain.The Italian harmonized inflation rate stood at 3.3% on an annual basis, against the previous reading of 2.8% and the expected 3.2%. Month over month, harmonized consumer prices were 0.4% higher, against the prior 1.6% rise and the forecast of 0.3%.
Japan's consumer confidence index rose to 33.6 in May from 32.2 in the previous month, Cabinet Office data showed Friday.The overall livelihood index climbed 3 points month on month to 31.2, while the income growth index edged up 0.5 points to 40.3.The employment index increased 0.9 points to 38.3, while willingness to buy durable goods rose 1.2 points to 24.4.Looking ahead, 93.5% of respondents expect prices to go up, while 1.9% anticipate a decline and 2.6% expect prices to stay the same, the report said.
Italy's unemployment rate came in at 5.1% in April, down from 5.2% in March, provisional data from national statistics agency Istat showed Friday.The latest reading compares with the consensus estimate of 5.3%.