(Alliance News) - On Thursday, major European stock markets are expected to be in negative territory as Eurozone trade balance data and US unemployment claims are expected to be released in the afternoon.

Thus, IG futures give the FTSE Mib down 0.7 percent or down 190.0 points, after closing down 0.9 percent at 28,169.96,

Paris' CAC 40 is expected to be in the red 42.8 points or down 0.6 percent, Frankfurt's DAX 40 is given down 0.5 percent or down 79.5 points, as is London's FTSE 100 or down 32.6 points.

In the U.S., Fed minutes from its last meeting in July have been released for which it was revealed that U.S. central bank officials continue to see "significant" upside risks to inflation and suggest that further interest rate hikes may be necessary.

The Fed raised rates another 25 basis points to 5.25 to 5.50 percent, the highest level in more than two decades, an increase that many economists believe will be the last in this cycle.

However, the talks revealed that most participants fear that the battle to keep inflation in check is far from over and may require further restrictive interventions.

Upside risks to inflation include "those associated with scenarios in which recent supply chain improvements and favorable trends in commodity prices fail to continue or in which aggregate demand fails to slow sufficiently to restore price stability over time," the minutes state.

Among other listings in Milan on Wednesday, the Mid-Cap rose 0.1 percent to 42,035.75, the Small-Cap in the green by 0.3 percent to 27,001.52, while Italy Growth closed in the green by 0.1 percent to 8,927.77.

On the main index of Piazza Affari, in the small group of bullish investors, good session for BPER Banca, which closed up 0.4 percent on its third session in the green.

Good buys also on Banco BPM, which marked a plus 0.1 percent on the heels of the green of the previous session that closed with a plus 1.4 percent.

Saipem closed 3.6% in the red, turning negative after four sessions in the red.

Also in the red was Tenaris with 0.2%, despite announcing that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire from Mattr 100% of the shares of its subsidiary Bredero Shaw International, which holds control of the pipe coating business worth USD166 million including working capital, on a cash-free and debt-free basis, subject to customary price adjustments.

Also at the back of the pack was CNH Industrial, in the red by 2.7 percent, marking a negative balance for the fourth session in a row.

On the Mid-Cap, on a positive note, El.En. rallied 3.4 percent, setting the new price at EUR10.53.

Also among the best in class was Carel Industries, which with a green of 2.2 percent replicated the previous session's gain, albeit closed with a more timid 0.6 percent.

Juventus FC, on the other hand, left 0.4 percent on the parterre. The club announced that it has reached an agreement with AS Monaco Football Club for the outright sale of the rights to the sports performance of footballer Denis Lemi Zakaria Lako Lado for a consideration of EUR20 million, payable in four fiscal years.

MutuiOnline closed on the bottom, down 4.8 percent. The stock traded high, with more than 45,000 changed hands compared to a three-month daily average of about 13,000.

Final part of the convoy also for OVS, which contracted 2.4 percent after a 1.5 percent gain in the previous session.

In the Small-Cap segment, purchases on Biesse, which closed ahead 4.0 percent, in its third bullish session.

Triboo, on the other hand, brought home a green of 1.2 percent after a 2.8 percent loss in the previous session. The stock had previously come from four bullish sessions.

High quarters also for Bastogi, which was up 4.0 percent after a 2 percent loss in the previous session.

Caleffi, on the other hand, gave up 2.9 percent, reversing course after two bullish sessions.

Among the SMBs, Iervolino & Lady Bacardi advanced more than 15 percent, in its sixth bullish session.

The buy side also prevails well on Gambero Rosso, ahead 6.5 percent with new price at EUR0.4940.

Ecosuntek rose 2.4 percent after clarifying Monday that subsidiary Eco Trade "already has the necessary own resources to acquire the approximately 45 percent stake in +Energia Spa. Before the closing, however, Eco Trade may consider the possibility of using a specific transaction with the banking system that takes into account a proper Debt/Equity ratio.

In red, also the prevailing color in this segment, Execus gave up 7.5 percent with price at EUR3.20 per share. The stock closed in negative balance for the seventh consecutive session.

Digitouch, on the other hand, gave up 3.8 percent, with price level at EUR2.26.

In Asia, the Nikkei is giving up 0.6 percent to 31,562.29, the Hang Seng is leaving 0.9 percent on the sidelines at 18,168.80, and the Shanghai Composite is in the red by 0.2 percent to 3,144.28.

In New York on Wednesday, the Dow Jones closed down 0.5 percent to 34,765.74, the S&P gave up 0.8 percent to 4,404.33, while the Nasdaq left the floor 1.2 percent at 13,474.63.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0874 versus USD1.0905 in Wednesday's closing European equities while the pound was worth USD1.2720 from USD1.2751 on Wednesday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD83.34 per barrel versus USD85.04 per barrel at Wednesday night's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,922.35 an ounce from USD1,903.08 an ounce on Wednesday evening.

Thursday's economic calendar includes, at 0150 CEST, the release of Japan's trade balance while, at 1100 CEST, will come the Eurozone trade balance.

At 1430 CEST, from the U.S., focus on the unemployment claims data while, at 1730 CEST, 4- and 8-week Treasury bond auctions are scheduled.

Among companies in the Piazza Affari, no particular announcements are expected.

By Claudia Cavaliere, Alliance News reporter

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