ROME - Italian industrial output was much softer than expected in July, falling 0.9% from the previous month after a 0.5% rise in June and getting the third quarter off to a weak start, data showed on Tuesday.On a work-day adjusted year-on-year basis, output in the euro zone's third largest economy was down 3.3%, national statistics bureau ISTAT said - the 18th consecutive annual decline.
July saw month-on-month declines in output of consumer goods, intermediate goods and investment goods, only partially offset by a rise in energy products. Most analysts expect similar modest increases in gross domestic product rates through the rest of this year, yielding full-year 2024 growth of between 0.7% and 1%, broadly in line with last year's 0.9% rate.The ONS said total wage growth went up 4% in the three months to July, putting pensioners on track for a rise in their annual pensions to £11,962.60.Stars line up to pay tribute to James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vadar, who has died at 93.