DATA SNAP:Italy Sep Consumer Confidence Highest Since Dec 06

ROME -- Italian consumer confidence rose unexpectedly in September to its highest level in nearly three years on households' optimism over the economy and their own personal situation, data showed Monday.

State-funded research center ISAE said its seasonally-adjusted consumer confidence index for Europe's fourth-largest economy jumped to 113.6 in September from 111.8 in August.

The 113.6 reading was well above the 111.4 forecast by eight economists polled by Dow Jones Newswires. Consumer confidence has been rising since March, when the index hit a low of 99.8.