(Alliance News) - Piazza Affari is expected to rise ahead of Friday's start of trading on another day of important macro data for the Eurozone.
The FTSE Mib is given up 97.5 points or 0.3 percent after closing up 0.5 percent at 35,819.79 Thursday.
In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is given up 67.9 points or 0.8 percent, Paris' CAC 40 is indicated up 18.1 points or 0.2 percent and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is expected to be up 53.6 points or 0.3 percent.
In Milan last night, the Mid-Cap rose 1.2 percent to 47,903.08, the Small-Cap closed in the red 0.2 percent to 27,953.55 while the Italy Growth gave up 0.2 percent to 7,847.52.
On the Mib, strength on Moncler, which moved up 6.3 percent to EUR to EUR56.84 per share, on the heels of the eve's close with a plus 0.3 percent.
Also doing well was another luxury stock, Brunello Cucinelli, which gaudagned 2.2% after a 0.5% decline on eve.
Azimut Holding -- up 0.9 percent -- said Thursday that based on early summary data and estimated results, it expects to close the 2024 fiscal year with a net profit of about EUR600 million, placing it in the higher range of the target revised in November of EUR550-600 million. Total net inflows in 2024 amount to EUR18.3 billion. Total assets stood at EUR108 billion as of Dec. 31, up 26 percent from end-2023.
Generali -- up 0.6 percent -- aims to become the top foreign insurer in Spain by 2027, overtaking Zurich, Axa and Allianz, as Milano Finanza writes Thursday. The goal is boosted by the integration of Liberty Seguros, acquired in 2023. Currently, Spain is the fourth largest market for Generali, with EUR2.6 billion in premiums, the newspaper adds.
Eni--down 0.3 percent--reported Thursday that Plenitude, through its subsidiary Eni New Energy US, has signed an agreement with EDP Renewables North America to acquire a 49 percent stake in two already operational photovoltaic plants and an electricity storage facility under construction in California.
Iveco, down 1.9 percent, was also among the few bearish performers, raising its oars after two sessions closed with a positive balance.
On the Mid-Cap, strength on Technoprobe, which closed bullish with 7.4 percent on the heels of eve's gain, albeit a modest 0.5 percent.
De' Longhi -- up 6.2 percent -- announced Wednesday the start of a share buyback plan for a maximum amount of about EUR60.0 million, or 1.4 percent of the share capital. The program will begin on January 16 and will last for up to six months.
Salvatore Ferragamo, on the other hand, closed up 2.7 percent to EUR6.88 per share. Of note, Bank of America raised its target price on the stock to EUR5.00 from EUR4.00.
Among the many bearish performers, Banca Ifis left 2.2 percent to EUR22.20 per share on the sidelines, following up its eve's 0.4 percent decline.
d'Amico, on the other hand, gave up 2.6 percent, following Wednesday evening's gain of 2.4 percent.
On the Small-Cap, Il Sole 24 Ore rose well, closing up 2.9 percent, in its third straight session among gainers.
I Grandi Viaggi--up 5.8 percent--reported Thursday that it had closed its annual accounts for the year ended Oct. 31 with a profit of EUR3.3 million, up from EUR2.8 million in 2023. Revenue from the group's core operations was EUR62.6 million, up from EUR57.0 million in the previous year. Total revenues increased to EUR67.2 million from EUR61.2 million in 2023.
Among SMEs, buying on AATech, which closed up 9.8 percent, rebounding after two sessions in which it gave up more than 10 percent.
Fope - up 6.7 percent - reported Thursday that it ended fiscal year 2024 with consolidated net revenues of EUR73.4 million, up 10 percent from EUR66.8 million in 2023. Net financial position was EUR3.3 million positive, an improvement of EUR3.3 million from the previous year.
On a negative note, among many, GT Talent Group gave up more than 13 percent to EUR1.50, updating a new low in the 52-week range.
In Asia on Friday, the Nikkei fell 0.3% to 38,451.46, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.2% to 3,241.82 and the Hang Seng gained 0.3% to 19,586.10.
In New York at Thursday's close, the Dow lost 0.2 percent to 43,153.13, the Nasdaq gave up 0.9 percent to 19,338.29 and the S&P 500 closed down 0.2 percent to 5,937.34.
Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0283 against USD1.0306 on Thursday in closing European equities. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2176 from USD1.2242 last night.
Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD81.44 per barrel from USD80.50 per barrel at Thursday's European stock close. Gold trades at USD2,714.16 USD2,720.22 an ounce from USD2,680.37 an ounce Wednesday night.
Friday's macroeconomic calendar includes the current account balance for the Eurozone at 1000 CET.
At 1100 CET, again from the Eurozone, room for the inflation figure.
From the US, at 1430 CET, data on the construction sector are due, followed at 1515 CET by industrial and manufacturing production.
At 1900 CET, however, the Baker Hughes report will be released, while at 2130 CET, as usual on Fridays, it will be the turn of the COT Report.
In the Piazza Affari corporate calendar, no events are scheduled.
By Giuseppe Fabio Ciccomascolo, Alliance News senior reporter
Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com
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