(Alliance News) - On Friday, indexes of major Eurozone stock exchanges are expected to be in positive territory by IG futures as they await manufacturing PMIs, while London's marketplace is expected to open without momentum.
The FTSE Mib is given up 160.0 points or up 0.4 percent, after closing Thursday up 0.7 percent to 36,112.84.
In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is given up 8.5 points or up 0.1 percent, Paris' CAC 40 is indicated up 47.8 points or in the green by 0.6 percent, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is expected up 74.9 points or up 0.4 percent.
In Milan last night, the Mid-Cap finished just below par at 49,007.67, the Small-Cap closed up 0.3 percent at 28,154.96, and the Italy Growth closed down 0.1 percent at 7,783.28.
On the macroeconomic front, Japan's manufacturing sector weakened in contrast to the services sector, according to flash estimates of the purchasing managers' index released Friday.
The au Jibun Bank's flash composite PMI index rose to 51.1 in January from 50.5 in December.
Also in Japan, the Bank of Japan said it plans to raise its benchmark rate by 25 points to 0.5 percent, the highest level since 2008, the year of the global financial crisis.
On the Mib on Thursday, strength on UniCredit, which advanced 2.5 percent to EUR43.52 per share, rearing its head after two bearish sessions.
Strength also on Snam, with the stock moving ahead 2.1 percent, on its third bearish session. Of note, on the stock DBR raised its target price to EUR5.70 from EUR5.50 with a 'buy' recommendation.
Banco BPM, SACE and Alfasigma announced the finalization of an agreement in favor of the latter for the granting of two financing lines worth a total of EUR200 million.
In recent years, Alfasigma, an international pharmaceutical company founded in Italy and present in more than 100 countries around the world, has embarked on an ambitious plan to accelerate its growth and transformation and its global expansion. Banco BPM stock closed in the green by 0.4 percent.
Hera -- in the red by 0.8 percent -- reported Thursday that its board of directors had reviewed its 2024 pre-cash figures and approved its business plan to 2028, which calls for gross five-year investments of EUR5.1 billion, a return on net invested capital at 9.5 percent, structural growth in EBITDA to EUR1.7 billion, and profit growth of about 6 percent on average per year.
Rear-enders also for Ferrari, with the Cavallino stock leaving 1.9 percent on the parterre at EUR410.20 per share.
On the Mid-Cap, Safilo closed with a bullish candle 2.9 percent at EUR1.00 per share, on its seventh bullish session and with results expected on Tuesday.
Newlat Food, on the other hand, rallied 3.1% to EUR12.00 per share, breaking a three-session bearish mini-trend.
De' Longhi's buyback plan continues steadily, closing ahead 0.1 percent. Lastly, the company announced Wednesday evening that it had bought back 62,416 of its own ordinary shares between January 16 and 17, for a total value of EUR2.0 million.
Juventus Football Club -- down 0.9 percent -- announced Thursday that it had reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to acquire, on a temporary basis until June 30, the rights to the sports performance of footballer Kolo Muani Randal for a consideration of EUR1.0 million, plus ancillary charges of EUR2.6 million.
On the Small-Cap, strength on Aquafil, which moved ahead 6.1 percent, after the flat session on the eve of the day and with price in the EUR1.39 per share area.
Avio, on the other hand, picked up 6.1 percent, with new price in the EUR16.80 per share area.
Among the negative notes - several on the list - Somec left 2.4 percent on the parterre at EUR10.00. During the session the stock updated its 52-week low at EUR9.84.
Olidata, on the other hand, gave up 4.6 percent to EUR0.2380, continuing its long negative streak.
GPI -- down 0.8 percent -- on Thursday made it known that it had been awarded the project for the new Health Information System. As the company explained in a note, the project will involve all of South Tyrol's health districts-Bozen, Brixen, Bruneck and Meran-serving more than half a million citizens. The contract, with a total value of about EUR16 million and a duration of 48 months, includes a share of about EUR13 million reserved for GPI.
Among SMEs, good session for Bifire, which closed ahead 4.8 percent at EUR2.62 per share.
iVision Tech - ahead more than 14 percent - reported Thursday that it has been granted a patent for iSee, a wearable assistive technology designed for the blind and visually impaired.
SosTravel.com - in the green by 0.9 percent - announced Thursday that it had signed a business agreement with Veratour, a leader in the resort and tailor-made tourism industry. The agreement, part of the sales channel diversification strategy launched in 2024, will allow Veratour customers who purchase products from the GO WEST and GO EAST catalogs through a travel agency to take advantage of the Lost Luggage Concierge service, renamed by Veratour as "Baggage no problem."
ESI - down 0.3 percent - reported Thursday that it has signed a contract with a major nursery company to build a photovoltaic plant in the municipality of Pontinia, in the province of Latina. The contract has a total value of EUR680,000.
In Asia, the Nikkei closed fractionally in the red at 39,951.06, the Shanghai Composite finished in the green by 0.7 percent at 3,253.88, and the Hang Seng rose 2.0 percent to 20,101.04.
In New York last night, the Dow advanced 0.9%, the Nasdaq closed in the green by 0.2%, and the S&P 500 finished up 0.5%.
Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0451 against USD1.0401 on Thursday in closing European equities. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2387 from USD1.2334 on Thursday evening.
Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD78.34 per barrel from USD78.24 per barrel at Thursday's European stock close. Gold trades at USD2,778.81 an ounce from USD2,750.21 an ounce last night.
On Friday's economic calendar, between 0915 CET and 1000 CET, the manufacturing and services PMIs for France and Germany will be released in order, with the Eurozone PMI coming last.
The same data will be released, between 1025 CET and 1030 CET, in the UK.
At 1100 CET, ECB number one Christine Lagarde will give a speech instead.
From the US, at 1545 CET it will be the turn of the manufacturing and services PMIs. At 1900 CET, the Baker Hughes plants report will be released instead.
At 2130 CET, as every Friday, the COT Report will be released instead.
Among companies, no special announcements are expected.
By Antonio Di Giorgio, Alliance News reporter
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