2026.05.0707:30:00UTC+00Italy’s Construction Slump Deepens as HCOB PMI Falls Further in April

Italy’s construction sector slipped deeper into contraction in April, as the HCOB Italy Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 44.8 from 46.8 in March 2026, on a month-over-month comparison. The latest reading, updated on 07 May 2026, signals a sharper deterioration in activity, remaining well below the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction.

The decline from March’s 46.8 highlights an accelerating weakening in construction conditions, with April marking a further loss of momentum for the sector. On a month-over-month basis, the “actual” April figure compares unfavorably not only to March, but also to the previous month’s trend, suggesting that the downturn in Italian construction is becoming more entrenched.

With both March and April readings firmly in contraction territory, the data underscore persistent headwinds for Italy’s builders. The consecutive declines in the PMI point to sustained pressure on output and could weigh on broader economic performance if the negative trend continues in the coming months.