(Alliance News) - On Wednesday, major European stock markets confirmed market expectations and opened in negative territory ahead of macro data on the Eurozone, with Tuesday's stronger-than-expected U.S. retail sales data also fueling fears that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for a longer period, possibly hurting economic growth and reducing energy demand in the world's top oil consumer.

Meanwhile, industry data showed that U.S. crude oil inventories fell by about 6.2 million barrels last week, exceeding forecasts of a 2.3 million barrel drop.

Thus, the FTSE Mib is down 0.9 percent to 28,179.05, the Mid-Cap gives up 0.5 percent to 41,796.84, the Small-Cap is in fractional green at 26,919.51, as is Italy Growth at 8,919.20.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 is down 0.2 percent, as is Frankfurt's DAX, while London's FTSE 100 is in the red by 0.1 percent.

On the main index in Piazza Affari, Monte dei Paschi di Siena continues to hold the lead by rising 3.2 percent after closing ahead of everyone on Monday, in the green by 6.3 percent.

Good buys also on BPER Banca, up 0.7 percent, and Banco BPM, up 0.5 percent.

Tenaris is flat after announcing that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire from Mattr 100 percent 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.

The board of directors of Unipol -- in the green by 0.2 percent -- announced Friday morning that it had approved the consolidated results as of June 30, reporting a half-year closed with a consolidated profit of EUR517 million, down more than 24 percent from the consolidated net profit of EUR684 million in the corresponding period last year, reported under previous accounting standards and on which were reflected extraordinary items of some EUR279 million related to the pro-rata consolidation of BPER Banca's results.

At the bottom is CNH Industrial, down 2.7 percent, along with Stellantis also of the Agnelli Galaxy, which gives up 1.0 percent.

Also down is Saipem, which leaves 1.8% on the parterre.

On the Mid-Cap, Juventus gives up 0.9%. The company 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 financial years.

UnipolSai also continues to do well after the accounts, whereby the company reported Friday that it closed the first half of the year with a profit up 2.0 percent to EUR431 million from EUR422 million in the same period last year.

In contrast, net income for the first half of 2022, calculated using other IFFRS 4 and IAS 39 parameters, was EUR176 million.

Direct insurance premiums rose to EUR7.47 billion from EUR6.63 billion, with non-life premiums rising to EUR4.32 billion from EUR4.15 billion and life premiums increasing to EUR3.14 billion from EUR2.48 billion in the same period last year.

Topping the list are Ascopiave and Piaggio, up 2.1 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. At the bottom is MutuiOnline, up 2.8 percent.

On the Small-Cap segment, Autostrade Meridionali gives up 0.9 percent after posting a minus 6.2 percent Friday evening, subject to profit taking after two sessions in which it accumulated assets of more than 16 percent. The company made it known Friday that, with reference to the recent stock market performance of its stock, it is not aware of any elements that could justify the upward changes that have occurred in the stock market since the end of July.

Servizi Italia--up 1.5 percent--reported Thursday that it closed the first half of the year with increased revenues and profits compared to the same period last year.

The company's revenues increased to EUR143.8 million from EUR134.0 million in the first half of 2022. Revenues from washroom services-which in absolute terms accounted for 74.9 percent of the group's revenues-increased to EUR107.7 million from EUR101.8 million in the first six months of 2022, supported by robust growth in washroom Italy.

Among SMEs, Ecosuntek rises 2.9 percent after clarifying Monday that subsidiary Eco Trade "is already equipped with 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.

Vantea SMART -- in the green by 2.3 percent -- announced Friday that it has initiated a new buyback plan.

Comal picks up 0.6 percent, after letting Integrae SIM know Friday that it has notified Integrae SIM of its exercise of its right to terminate its Euronext Growth Advisor and specialist contracts.

In Asia, the Nikkei gave up 1.5 percent to 31,766.82, the Hang Seng is leaving 1.4 percent on the sidelines at 18,315.58, while the Shanghai Composite closed 0.8 percent in the red at 3,150.13.

In New York on Tuesday, the Dow Jones closed down 1.0 percent to 34,946.39, the S&P gave up 1.2 percent to 4,437.86, while the Nasdaq left the floor 1.1 percent to 13,631.05.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0922 versus USD1.0904 in Tuesday's closing European equities while the pound was worth USD1.2736 from USD1.2703 Tuesday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD84.52 per barrel versus USD84.95 per barrel at Tuesday night's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,934.05 an ounce from USD1,935.20 an ounce Tuesday night.

Wednesday's economic calendar calls for the release of Eurozone GDP and industrial production at 1100 CEST.

At 1300 CEST, from the US comes the mortgage market report, at 1515 CEST the industrial production figure is released, and at 1630 CEST the crude oil stocks figure

At 2000 CEST, however, the minutes of the FOMC meeting will be released.

Among companies, no particular announcements are scheduled.

By Claudia Cavaliere, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.