Italian consumer and business confidence weakened in September, pointing to deteriorating sentiment in the euro zone's third-largest economy. ISTAT's consumer confidence index fell to 91.2 from 94.5 in August, well below the 94.0 median forecast from a Reuters poll of six analysts. The composite business morale index, covering manufacturing, retail, construction and services, declined to 95.9 from 97.0. Manufacturing confidence was an exception, rising to 91.9 from 90.2 and exceeding the 90.5 median forecast. Giorgia Meloni's government cut its growth outlook in April to 0.6% for both this year and next, citing surging energy prices and turmoil in the Middle East, but stronger-than-expected GDP results in the first and second quarters suggested some resilience. The government is expected to update its projections this week and has said growth could be forecast at close to 1% this year.