(Alliance News) - On Tuesday, Piazza Affari moved erratically--slightly down at the moment--reflecting a cautious sentiment hovering over the financial markets, as trading rooms closely monitor developments on the issue in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel, fearing a "contagion" that could widen the issue to other players in the area.

Jordan's King Abdullah II has warned that the conflict in Gaza could spread to the rest of the Middle East region. "The whole region is on the brink," Abdullah said after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. "It will take all our efforts to make sure we don't get to that point," added Abdullah, who met yesterday with Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi. Scholz will travel to Israel today.

The FTSE Mib, thus, is giving up 0.1 percent to 28,358.42, with the put/call volume ratio at 2.40.

The Mid-Cap is advancing 0.2% to 38,915.22, the Small-Cap is up 0.3% to 25,209.61, and Italy Growth is down 0.1% to 7,940.94.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is advancing 0.4 percent, while Paris' CAC 40 is at a perfect parity. Frankfurt's DAX 40, on the other hand, is flexing 0.1 percent.

On the main list of Piazza Affari, the banking segment is confirmed as a bullish driver, with Banca Monte dei Paschi advancing 2.0 percent after 0.4 percent the previous evening.

In fact, BPER Banca, up 1.3%, and Banco BPM, which is up 1.5%, are also rising.

On the Milanese bank, DBRS Morningstar on Thursday confirmed investment grade ratings and a Stable outlook, as well as on its subsidiary Banca Akros Spa. The long-term deposit rating remained 'BBB (high),' the long-term debt rating was left at 'BBB,' the short-term deposit rating at 'R-1 (low)' and the short-term debt rating remained 'R-2 (high)' while the intrinstic assessment remained 'BBB.

"This confirmation follows the upgrade of Banco BPM's ratings by DBRS in October last year and reflects the group's solid market position in the affluent regions of northern Italy as well as the gradual improvement in profitability. The ratings are also supported by the group's robust funding and liquidity profile and solid capital position," the bank said.

Italgas, on the other hand, rises 1.6 percent. The company announced Monday that it has completed the acquisition from Veolia Environnement SA Group of the business unit to which the concessions held in Italy in the water sector belong. For the purchase, the company will be able to pay the Veolia group a total of up to EUR115 million-in terms of equity value-subject in part to the achievement of certain targets of the operating companies.

Prysmian- up 1.1 percent- continues bullish, on the heels of the eve's close with a plus 2.0 percent.

In the minority of bearers is Iveco, which gives up 2.0% after eve's surplus, albeit by 0.1%.

Among the mid-caps, Pharmanutra advances with 4 percent, bringing the price to EUR50.90 per share and following up on the eve's green with 2.2 percent.

Good boost also on Intercos, which moves up 1.1 percent with new price at EUR12.64 per share, following eve's 1.0 percent decline.

Webuild, on the other hand, advances 1.9 percent on the heels of the green 1.7 percent it closed with on eve.

On a negative note, Antares Vision marks a minus 2.3% at EUR2.74. The stock also updated its 52-week low at EUR2.72 per share.

On the Small-Cap, selling on SS Lazio that brings the price down 2.3% to EUR0.8620, pushing the bearish candle down to the new 52-week low of EUR0.86.

Cellularline, on the other hand, is retreating 0.4 percent to EUR2.31 per share, continuing its long bearish streak.

Landi Renzo, on the other hand, is advancing 1.4 percent, reversing course after three bearish daily candles.

The buy side also prevails on Fila, among others, which appreciates 1.3%, reversing its three-session bearish mini-trend.

Among SMEs, Digital Magics advances 4.4 percent, priced at EUR2.12 per share and rearing its head again after eve's decline of 3.8 percent.

Casta Diva, which appreciates 3.0 percent to EUR1.21 per share, is also among the leading players. The stock, since the start of 2023, shows assets exceeding 76 percent.

Impianti in the rear, on the other hand, gives up 5.3 percent, with new price at EUR0.54 per share, continuing its long bearish trend.

Ambromobiliare, meanwhile, retreats 6.7 percent to EUR1.54 per share, in its third bearish session.

In New York on European night, the Dow rallied 0.9 percent, the Nasdaq closed up 1.2 percent, and the S&P 500 advanced 1.1 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0555 against USD1.0549 recorded in Monday's European stock close, while the pound was worth USD1.2162 from USD1.2195 on Monday night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD90.25 per barrel from USD90.26 per barrel at Monday's close. Gold, meanwhile, trades at USD1,923.21 an ounce from USD1,934.75 an ounce on Monday evening.

The macroeconomic calendar has US retail sales data for September at 1430 CEST. At the same time from Canada comes inflation.

Still from the U.S., at 1515 CEST industrial and manufacturing production data for September are released.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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