(Alliance News) - Equity markets moved around the parity line Wednesday, with trading floors reacting to the latest U.K. inflation data -- pending that of the Eurozone -- which remained largely unchanged in June.

The annual inflation rate in the U.K. remained steady at 2.0 percent in June, unchanged from May, and remained at 2021 lows even though market forecasts were pointing to 1.9 percent. The data were published Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics.

The FTSE Mib is moving around the parity line at 34,366.97 points.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 is just above par, London's FTSE 100 gives up 0.1 percent, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is just above par.

Among the smaller lists, the Mid-Cap is giving up 0.1 percent to 48,675.97, the Small-Cap is advancing 0.9 percent to 29,390.74, while Italy Growth is in the red 0.1 percent to 8,126.67.

On the Mib, good start for Saipem, which is advancing 1.7 percent to EUR2.40 per share, after a 1.5 percent loss on the eve of trading.

Green also for parent company Eni, which scores a plus 0.5% to EUR14.08 per share. Of note, the company and Kazakhstan's state-owned KazMunayGas - KMG announced Tuesday the start of construction of a 250 MW renewable and gas hybrid power plant at Zhanaozen in Kazakhstan's Mangystau region.

Goldman Sachas resumes coverage of Prysmian, setting the target price at EUR70.00. The stock - which trades in the green by 0.4 percent - is priced in the EUR63.00 per share area.

Iveco, on the other hand, is giving up 1.8 percent to EUR11.28 per share, following a 0.2 percent drop in the previous session.

Amplifon, meanwhile, gives up 1.6 percent, in its third bearish session.

On the cadet segment, strength on Caltagirone, which moves ahead 1.8% to EUR5.68, placing the snout vereso its third bullish session.

CIR, meanwhile, advances 1.6 percent to EUR0.62 per share, updating its 52-week high at this price.

Pier Silvio Berlusconi, CEO of MFE-MediaForEurope NV, announced Tuesday evening at a meeting with journalists a 6.7 percent growth in the group's advertising revenues in Italy and Spain compared to the same period in 2023. Consolidated Ebit, on the other hand, is expected to rise 11 percent.

Class A shares are giving up 0.3%, while class B shares are in the fractional red.

The Italian Sea Group, on the other hand, is stepping back 1.4 percent, after declining 0.5 percent on the eve.

On the Small-Cap, Bastogi is giving up 2.9%, on the heels of Tuesday's 0.2% decline.

Piquadro -- in the green by 1.0 percent -- reported Wednesday that its consolidated sales for the first three months of the 2024/2025 fiscal year ended June 30 amounted to EUR36.1 million, up 4.9 percent from EUR34.4 million in the same period a year earlier.

Banca Sistema, on the other hand, advances 3.0%, on its fourth bullish candle session.

doValue - in the green by 2.0% - announced Tuesday that it will increase assets under management through the contribution of UTP loan portfolios and a stage 2 component for a gross book value of EUR300 million.

Giglio Group - ahead by more than 10% - on Wednesday announced the launch of OMNIA. The new advanced technology platform, based on artificial intelligence, represents the innovative merger and evolution of Giglio Group's two proprietary platforms Flex and Nimbus, and offers an integrated end-to-end approach to managing both the physical and online purchasing process, from the initial order stage to final delivery.

Among SMBs, buying on eViso, which takes the price to EUR4.76 up 4.7 percent, following up on eve's 6.4 percent gain. The thiolo vebiva from six closing sessions with bearish candlestick.

Health Italia, on the other hand, is advancing 3.3 percent, following up eve's 8 percent gain.

DHH, on the other hand, is giving up 2.7 percent. The company, which is continuing steadily with its buyback plan, most recently reported that last week's transactions involved about 3,500 of its own ordinary shares for about EUR105,000.

SolidWorld Group--declining 0.7 percent--reported Tuesday evening that the capital increase was successfully concluded with the subscription of all 811,250 newly issued ordinary shares, worth nearly EUR2.3 million.

In New York overnight Europe, the Dow rallied 1.9 percent, the Nasdaq closed in the green by 0.2 percent, and the S&P 500 was up 0.6 percent.

Among Asian exchanges, the Nikkei gave up 0.4 percent, the Shanghai Composite is giving up 0.3 percent, while the Hang Seng is advancing 0.2 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands to USD1.0902 from USD1.0884 in Tuesday's European stock close while the pound is worth USD1.2975 against USD1.2958 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is trading at USD83.49 per barrel from USD84.03 per barrel at Tuesday's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD2,463.56 an ounce from USD2,464.92 an ounce Tuesday night.

Wednesday's macroeconomic calendar includes, at 1100 CEST the Eurozone inflation figure.

From the US, at 1300 CEST, the mortgage data will be released, while at 1430 CEST the various reports on the housing market will be available.

At 1630 CEST, the crude oil stocks data, Cushing inventory and the EIA report will be released.

Among the companies in the Italian stock market, Altea Green Power will release its half-year results.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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