(Alliance News) - European stock markets follow a mixed trend Wednesday in the aftermath of the stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation report that supported the case for further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.

In this regard, member Barkin, said Tuesday that the central bank must prioritize containing inflation over the risks to U.S. economic growth that its sharp interest rate increase could cause, while another member, Logan, suggested that rates may have to rise more than widely expected.

On the Eurotower front, however, European Central Bank Governing Council member Gabriel Makhlouf said Tuesday night that the bank may raise interest rates above 3.5 percent and probably will not cut them this year as it moves forcefully to bring inflation back on target, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Makhlouf has previously said he would not be surprised if members continue to raise interest rates beyond the end of March.

Thus, the FTSE Mib, after a brief stay in positive territory, settled below the parity line at 27,492.58.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 rises 0.3 percent, London's FTSE 100 gives up 0.1 percent, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 rises 0.3 percent.

Among the smaller lists, the Mid-Cap is up 0.2 percent at 44,768.57, while the Small-Cap is in the green 0.3 percent at 30,336.94 and Italy Growth is just below the parity line at 9,668.09.

On the main list of Piazza Affari, good start for Amplifon, which is ahead with 0.8 percent after its 1.1 percent setback on eve.

Snam -- in the money with 0.2 percent -- denied on Wednesday rumors that it is considering issuing a convertible bond to exit the capital of Italgas Spa. "Snam clarifies that it has not taken any action in relation to the Italgas share held. Hypotheses about initiated financial transactions are unfounded to date," explained the utility, which holds 13.5 percent of Italgas.

In addition to part of the 2022 and fourth quarter accounts, the Telecom Italia Spa board of directors also approved the company's new business plan, which covers the three-year period 2023-2025. TIM expects group revenues from services to grow low single digits in 2023 with the domestic business essentially stable. The stock trades at the top of the list, marking a 1.5 percent green at EUR0.3012.

Mediobanca - down 0.5 percent - having acted as an intermediary on behalf of FSI Holding 2 Srl, announced Wednesday that it had completed the purchase of 25.0 million ordinary shares of Anima Holding, equal to about 7.2 percent of the company's share capital, through a reverse accelerated bookbuilding procedure. Anima Holding's stock, on the cadet segment, advances 5.4 percent.

It also goes under Azimut, which does worse than all by contracting 4.0 percent. A few hours after the start of the sale, Timone Fiduciaria Srl has already completed the sale of 1.3 million ordinary shares of Azimut Holding Spa. The shares, amounting to 0.9 percent of the company's capital, were sold at an average unit price of EUR22.35 each, for a total consideration of EUR28.2 million.

On the MidCap, in addition to the aforementioned Anima Holding, illimity Bank is also seen in the high quarters, moving ahead by 1.5 percent to EUR6.80 raising its head after three sessions among the bearish.

Industrie De Nora, on the other hand, advances 1.3 percent, bringing the price to EUR18.49 and registering a plus 11 percent on the weekly.

In contrast, OVS, which is proceeding with its biuback plan, gives up 0.3%. The company, most recently, announced Tuesday that it had purchased its own ordinary shares for a total value of EUR495,000 or so.

It gives way more sharply than the rest of the bearish Intercos, which retreats 1.4 percent to EUR13.78 after eve's timid gain of 0.3 percent.

On the small-cap, Restart gives up 4.2 percent. The stock-which has been missing the ex-dividend since 2007-retreats after eve's green with 2.3%.

Sales also prevail, among many, on Piovan, which marks a minus 3.4 percent after eve's 1.3 percent gain.

Conafi gives up 1.0 percent. The stock - on the MarketScreener platform - has a 'bullish' indication for the short and medium term, while on the long term it is listed as 'bearish'.

King of the list at the moment is B&C Speakers, which advancing 4.5% rests the price bar at EUR13.95 and bringing the green over the past six months to over 25%.

Among the SMBs, in a still uneventful list, mention should be made of Alfonsino Green, which advances 2.6 percent and turns the trajectory after four sessions on the bearish side.

Aton Green Storage, on the other hand, advances 1.3 percent to EUR6.38 after the eve's red with 1.3 percent.

Red for Bellini Nautica, which gives up 2.7 percent to EUR2.18 after Tuesday's gain of 4.7 percent.

In New York--on the European night--the Dow closed 0.5% in the red, the Nasdaq was up 0.6%, and the S&P 500 closed just below par.

In Asia, the Hang Seng retreated 1.7 percent, the Shanghai Composite gave up 0.4 percent as did the Nikkei in Japan.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0709 versus USD1.0716 at Tuesday's close. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2140 from USD1.2149 on Tuesday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD84.82 per barrel versus USD85.19 per barrel Tuesday evening. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,843.91 an ounce from USD1,848.00 an ounce at Tuesday's close.

On Wednesday's macroeconomic calendar, at 1100 CET, eyes on industrial production and the Eurozone trade balance.

From the States, at 1300 CET, focus on the mortgage market report; at 1430 CET, retail sales will be released; and, at 1515 CET, the industrial production figure will be released.

At 1630 CET, space for crude oil stocks, EIA count, and Cushing's inventory. At 1900 CET, an auction of 20-year Treasury bonds will be held.

Among the companies in the Piazza Affari, the results of Autogrill, EdiliziAcrobatica, Edison, eVISO, GEL, GPI, Interpump, Leone Film Group, and Tenaris are forthcoming.

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