(Alliance News) - On Monday, major European indexes are expected to lack momentum according to IG futures on a day stingy with significant macroeconomic data.

On the macroeconomic front, Japan's economy grew 2.8 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, matching market estimates and accelerating from the revised 1.7 percent increase in the third quarter, according to preliminary data released Monday by the Rising Sun government.

The latest result represented the third consecutive annual expansion, thanks to a strong rebound in capital spending. In addition, government spending accelerated, increasing for the fourth consecutive quarter.

The FTSE Mib is given up 32.5 points or up 0.1 percent after closing up 0.2 percent at 37,977.59.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is given ahead 6.3 points or in fractional green, Paris' CAC 40 is indicated up 10.9 points or up 0.1 percent, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is expected up 54.7 points or up 0.2 percent.

In Milan on Friday evening,Mid-Cap gained 0.1 percent to 50,888.77, Small-Cap closed up 0.1 percent to 29,042.74, and Italy Growth was up 0.1 percent to 7,818.93.

Returning to Milan, on the highest-capitalization list in Piazza Affari, Leonardo took the top spot and rose 3.6 percent. Iveco Group did well and gained 2.8 percent, while Buzzi closed the podium, up 2.6 percent.

At the bottom sat Interpump Group, which, sluggish on its fiscal year 2024 accounts, gave up 16 percent. The company reported Friday that it ended 2024 with a net profit of EUR228.5 million, down 18 percent from EUR277.5 million in the previous year.

Net sales amount to EUR2.08 billion from EUR2.24 billion in 2023.

Ebitda falls to EUR456.6 million, down 15 percent from EUR536.7 million in the previous year.

Recordati, meanwhile, gave up 2.2 percent. The company on Thursday reported that it ended fiscal year 2024 with a net profit of EUR416.5 million, up 7.0 percent from December 31, 2023.

Adjusted net income was EUR568.9 million, up 8.4% from 2023.

Telecom Italia did worse, down 7.6 percent.

A2A--down 0.5 percent--reported Friday that it had acquired the shares in Camuna Energia held by local shareholders, reaching 100 percent of the capital.

Among midcaps, Ascopiave - flat at EUR2.79 per share - on Thursday let it know that it had approved its new strategic plan to 2028, devoted to a sustainable growth path in the core businesses of gas distribution and renewable energy, enhancing the impact of investment initiatives already underway and with high visibility, the company explained in a note.

In detail, Ebitda to 2028 is expected to stand at EUR161 million, net income at EUR41 million, and net investments at EUR871 million over the plan period.

Net financial position is expected at EUR690 million as of 2028.

On dividends, the forecast for those distributed is 15 cents for 2024, rising by 1 cent per share in subsequent years until 2028.

OVS rose 1.2 percent. The company reported Tuesday that its board of directors had taken note of preliminary results for fiscal year 2024 that show sales growth of 6.0 percent.

Cementir Holding rallied 0.2 percent. The company on Tuesday released its preliminary consolidated figures for fiscal year 2024, which record revenues of EUR1.686 billion, down 0.4 percent from EUR1.694 billion in 2023.

On the Small-Cap, IGD -- down 2.9 percent -- on Friday reported that it has signed a definitive contract through its subsidiary Win Magazin to sell a shopping center included in its portfolio held in Romania to a Romanian private investor.

Specifically, the "Winmarkt Somes" shopping center located in Cluj is the subject of the sale, for a total consideration of approximately EUR8.3 million, in line with book value.

Aedes rose 3.6 percent. The company on Thursday reported that a final contract was signed by its subsidiary Lavip for the acquisition of an office building located in Genoa, Campi locality, for EUR4.5 million.

AbitareIn gained 0.5 percent. The company on Thursday reported that it closed the first quarter of the year with consolidated net income attributable to the group of EUR2.8 million from EUR2.0 million as of the first quarter ended Dec. 31, 2023.

Among SMEs, Vivenda Group rose 9.9 percent after it announced on Friday that it had obtained an exclusive concession through its subsidiary Vivenda GCC FZE to operate its first advertising facility in the United Arab Emirates.

Laboratorio Farmaceutico Erfo - down 4.0 percent - announced Friday that it had acquired 51 percent of Fit & Go, a boutique fitness specialist since 2015.

The acquisition - worth nearly EUR2.4 million - was financed with EUR2.2 million and EUR165,000 in shares.

In New York on Friday evening, the Dow closed 0.4 percent in the red at 44,546.08, the Nasdaq finished up 0.4 percent at 20,026.77 while the S&P 500 finished fractionally in the red at 6,114.63.

In Asia, the Nikkei closed in fractional green at 39,174.25, the Shanghai Composite finished up 0.3 percent 3,355.83 while the Hang Seng rose 0.3 percent to 22,692.61.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0492 versus USD1.0505 at Friday's European equities close. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2596 from USD1.2606 on Friday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD74.91 per barrel from USD74.80 per barrel at Friday's European stock close. Gold trades at USD2,910.70 an ounce from USD2,908.79 an ounce Friday evening.

On Monday's economic calendar, with Canadian stock exchanges closed for Family Day and U.S. exchanges closed for Washington's birthday, the Italian trade balance is expected from Italy at 1000 CET and the Spanish trade balance at the same time.

The same figure will come for the Eurozone an hour later.

In the afternoon, on the bond front, auctions of French BTFs with three-, six- and 12-month maturities are expected.

No particular announcements are expected among companies listed on the stock exchange.

By Antonio Di Giorgio, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com

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