(Alliance News) - European stock markets moved lower Friday, closing out a busy week, after "hotter-than-expected unemployment and producer price numbers from the United States revived fears that the Federal Reserve will remain aggressive for a longer time.

In addition, again Fed officials Loretta Mester and James Bullard have publicly pointed the way for further interest rate hikes to combat the rising value of the price basket.

Trading rooms also assess data showing that producer inflation in Germany slowed less than expected in January while UK retail sales volumes unexpectedly rose 0.5 percent in January, thanks to sales promotions and lower fuel prices, as detailed in the ONS report.

Thus, the FTSE Mib marks a decline of 1.2 percent to 27,515.01.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 is retreating with 1.2 percent, London's FTSE 100 is giving up 0.6 percent while Frankfurt's DAX 40 is losing 1.3 percent.

Among the smaller lists, the Mid-Cap is in the red by 1.0 percent to 44,334, 83, the Small-Cap is giving up 0.8 percent to 30,077.61, and Italy Growth is down 0.7 percent to 9,634.88.

On the main list in Piazza Affari, among the few bullish performers is BPER Banca, which rises 3.2 percent. The stock touched a new 52-week high at EUR2.77 before retracing to the EUR2.73 area.

In red, the dominant color on the list, Recordati is giving up 3.9 percent after greening on the eve with 1.0 percent and awaiting results due on Tuesday. Also reported on the stock is that Barclays cut its target price to EUR35.00 from the previous EUR40.00.

Tenaris, on the other hand, retreats 2.8% to EUR16.87 per share. Last night the stock did best of all up 8.0% after announcing record results for 2022 on Wednesday night. As of December 31, 2022, Tenaris reported net sales of USD3.62 billion in the last quarter, up 76 percent from USD2.06 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021. Growing by triple digits, meanwhile, was net income, which rose to USD803 million in the last quarter of the year, 139% higher than the same period in 2021. Net income for the 12 months amounted to USD2.55 billion, "and reached a record level," as the company explained in a note, up 142% on USD1.05 billion in the year 2021.

Lows also for Saipem, which gives up 2.8 percent after the 1.5 percent green on eve., while Amplifon equally follows the trend by giving up 2.5 percent after two sessions closed in the black.

On the MidCap segment, Wiit retreats 2.8% to EUR20.66. It should be mentioned that the company continues with its buyback program, where it most recently announced that it has purchased its own ordinary shares for a total value of EUR240,000 or so.

Marked sales also on Tamburi, which retreats 2.4 percent to EUR7.75 after a 0.1 percent gain on the eve.

Salvatore Ferragamo, on the other hand, gives up 1.9 percent, following eve's red with 0.2 percent.

On the SmallCap, Eukedos rises 3.6% to EUR1.29 in anticipation of results due on Wednesday.

The 'buy' sense also prevails on Borgosesia, which accelerates 3.3% bringing the price to EUR0.8240.

Tesmec - now 0.4 percent in the letter - reported Thursday that it has reviewed some preliminary management data for FY2022, which show revenues up about 25 percent from FY2021, thanks to the performance of the rail sector, the recovery of the trencher sector in the U.S. market, and an improved mix of the energy sector.

Gabetti, on the other hand, retreats 2.6 percent to EUR1.2080.

Among SMEs, Frendy Energy gives up 7.5 percent to EUR0.2460. It should be mentioned that the stock - which has not detached its dividend since 2016 - on a weekly basis still marks an asset of about 7.6 percent.

Rear-ends also for Alfonsino, which gives up 5.3 percent in profit taking after two sessions of significant gains.

Positive note, among the list's minority, for Arterra Bioscience, which advances 2.8% to EUR2.59.

Purchases also on Ecosuntek, which marks a 2.7 percent gain to EUR19.20. The stock - on the MarketScreener platform - has a 'bullish' indication on the short, medium and long term.

In New York on the European night, the Dow closed down 1.3 percent, the Nasdaq down 1.8 percent, and the S&P 500 left 1.4 percent on the parterre.

Among Asian exchanges, the Nikkei gave up 0.7 percent, the Shanghai Composite 0.8 percent, while the Hang Seng finished 1.3 percent in the red.

Among currencies, the strength of the dollar was confirmed. The euro changed hands at USD1.0642 versus USD1.0678 at Thursday's close. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.1931 from USD1.2012 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD83.85 per barrel versus USD83.64 per barrel Thursday night. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,822.00 an ounce from USD1,823.27 an ounce at Thursday's close.

On Friday's economic calendar, at 1000 CET, the seasonally adjusted current account balance is due from the Eurozone.

At 1445 CET a Bowman speech from the Fed will be given, while at 1900 CET Baker Hughes data will be released. Finally, as usual on Friday, at 2130 CET, it will be the turn of the COT Report.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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