Italy’s economic growth moderated over the previous quarter in seasonally- and working-day adjusted terms in Q3 2015. While domestic demand remained stable, a deterioration of the external sector’s contribution to growth weighed on the economy, resulting in the softest expansion since Q4 2014. Latest indicators paint a mixed picture of the economy at the start of 2016. While consumer confidence climbed to a record high in January, business confidence fell to its lowest level in almost a year and the manufacturing PMI reached a four-month low. Meanwhile, after almost a year of negotiations with the European Commission, Italy has finally reached a deal to help Italian banks sell their non-performing loans. Under the agreement, the government will now be able to provide partial guarantees that should support sales of bad loan portfolios as bonds to private investors. While analysts warn that the plan is an incomplete solution, it will significantly reduce potential losses and relieves a worrying situation. Indeed, non-performing loans on the balance sheets of Italian banks are estimated to be worth around EUR 350 billion, equivalent to about 17% of GDP.