(Alliance News) - On Thursday, Piazza Affari is aiming for its third session to close in an uptrend, with the point bar now marking 27,200 bringing the stretch since the beginning of the year over 14 percent. Trading rooms await key monetary policy decisions from the Fed and ECB scheduled for next week, with the latter now appearing certain toward bullish pace in the three major interest rates.

Data from the old continent are not comforting. Eurozone Gross Domestic Product contracted in the first quarter on a quarterly basis, leading the euro area into a technical recession, or two consecutive quarters of quarter-on-quarter economic decline.

Data released Thursday by Eurostat show that Eurozone GDP contracted 0.1 percent in the first quarter on a quarterly basis, revised downward from the 0.1 percent increase initially announced, falling at the same pace seen in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The FTSE Mib thus rises 0.8 percent to 27,257.26.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is giving up 0.2 percent, Paris's CAC 40 is rising with 0.3 percent, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is posting a positive 0.1 percent.

Among the smaller lists, the Mid-Cap is advancing 0.2 percent to 42,850.48, the Small-Cap is up 0.4 percent to 27,339.63, and Italy Growth is advancing 0.1 percent to 9,174.62.

On the highest-capitalization list in Piazza Affari, it pushes ahead of everyone Monte dei Paschi, which marks a plus 2.3% to EUR2.47 per share positioning its snout toward session number eight on the bullish side and with trading rooms assessing the potential merger with BPER Banca.

Also on a positive note is Stellantis, which moves ahead 1.7 percent to EUR15.22 on the heels of eve's 1.5 percent gain.

CNH Industrial - up 1.5 percent - reported that it purchased 762,519 of its own ordinary shares between May 29 and June 2. The shares were taken over at an average unit price of EUR12.25 or so, for a total value of EUR9.3 million.

Also active for Banco BPM - up 0.1 percent - announced Wednesday that it has completed a new Green Senior Non Preferred issue, with a maturity of five years and the possibility of early redemption in June 2027, in the amount of EUR750 million. Orders reached EUR1.3 billion. The bond was issued at a price of 99.955 percent and pays a fixed coupon of 6 percent.

Among the few negatives, Recordati closed down 0.6 percent, subject to profit taking after five uptrending sessions.

On the cadet segment, among the few bullish performers is Juventus FC, which rises 2.2%. of note, the Turin-based club confirmed coach Massimiliano Allegri on the bench for next season.

Doing even better is doValue, which scores a plus 3.9 percent, rearing its head again after three bearish sessions.

The buy side also prevails on illimity, which appreciates 1.5 percent to EUR6.77 per share. Of note, Citadel Advisors cut its short position on the stock to 0.59% from 0.69% previously during the week.

In the red, among the many bearish investors, Mutuionline gives up 1.5 percent to EUR31.90 per share. On the stock it is mentioned that the company announced on Monday that Alma Ventures SA bought 3,047 ordinary shares in the company for a total value of EUR84,000 or so.

At the tail end, GVS marks minus 3.5 percent, on the heels of the previous three sessions that ended equally with a minus sign.

On the SmallCap, Conafi advances in double digits with more than 10 percent, rebounding after three sessions on the downside in which it accumulated a loss of about 11 percent.

High quarters also for Triboo, which scores a more modest 3.6 percent after Wednesday night's 2.3 percent loss at the close.

Mondo TV -- up 1.3 percent -- announced Wednesday that it has signed a sales agreement with Chinese company JYS Media for the sale of preschool series Lulu Brum Brum and One Love. The sales agreement has a term of 7 years from June 1 and provides for the payment of a License Fee to acquire the distribution rights JYS Media, a subsidiary of Huace Group is internationally known for the management, exploitation and online marketing of video content in the Chinese territory.

On a negative note - the list's minority - Bialetti is leaving 2.6 percent on the sidelines after two sessions ended in the green.

Among the SMBs, Allcore in the rear is giving up 6.9 percent to EUR2.24 per share after eve's green with 5.5 percent.

Energy, on the other hand, is giving up 2.5 percent to EUR3.51 per share after eve's 1.4 percent gain.

Maps - in the 1.2 percent letter - reported that its subsidiary, Iasi Srl has been awarded the service and maintenance contract for the personnel management software of the Bari ASL, already a Maps customer with Maps' HR solution Maps ESG. The total amount of the award amounts to EUR958,000 approximately, excluding VAT. Of this amount, EUR606,455 is earmarked for FY2023 and EUR591,815 for FY2024, with the addition of possibly EUR24,600 for optional evolutionary maintenance services, to be provided at the request of ASL Bari.

FOS is advancing with 3.5 percent on the heels of the eve's asset with the same percentage.

Also among the best is Comer Industries, which is picking up 3.2 percent with new price at EUR32.00 per share after the eve's 1.6 percent decline. The stock had previously come from three sessions in the black.

In New York on European night, the Dow advanced 0.3 percent, the Nasdaq gave up 1.3 percent, and the S&P 500 gave up 0.4 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0727 against USD1.0706 in Wednesday's European stock close. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2465 from USD1.2459 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD76.59 per barrel versus USD77.37 per barrel last night. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,947.02 an ounce from USD1,957.87 an ounce last night.

Thursday's macroeconomic calendar, from the US, at 1430 CEST, focus on jobless claims.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News senior reporter

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