(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 4 mag - In April, Italy's purchasing managers' index for the manufacturing sector rose to 52.1 from 51.3 in March, the highest level in exactly four years, according to data released by S&P Global.

A reading above 50 signals expanding sector activity while one below a contraction.

"On the surface, the Italian manufacturing sectorsignalled its best improvement in operating conditionsin four years in April. Despite contending with adversesupply chain conditions and elevated price pressurescaused by war in the Middle East, Italian manufacturerspressed on with production and hiring," said Eleanor Dennison, economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

"Latest data revealed some softness in demand, however, which can be attributed to the domestic market given that growth in export sales was sustained.

"Longer lead times and the expectation of further cost rises encouraged firms' to increase their purchasing activity, but this was not sufficient to build stocks. While stronger cost pressures were felt by the majority of firms, they showed a greater degree of constraint in their own price setting - a.

sign that margins will be squeezed."

(RADIOCOR) 04-05-26 10:00:18 (0160) 5 NNNN