(Alliance News) - European stock markets opened higher on Friday, with trading rooms assessing the interest rate decisions made by the Fed and ECB and awaiting that of the Bank of England.

In the CME Group platform's FedWatch Tool, using futures also based on the actual federal funds rate, or EFFR, the rate confirmation at the July 26 meeting has a 31 percent probability for confirmation in the 500/525 bps range. In contrast, the 25 bps hike in the 525/550 bps target is priced at 69%.

In a week dominated by central bank decisions elsewhere, market attention is shifting to next Thursday's BoE decision. The pound continued its upward trajectory as inflation data combined with strong employment and economic growth data set the stage for the BoE to continue its rate hike cycle.

In contrast, the Bank of Japan left its monetary policy settings unchanged, including its yield curve control.

The FTSE Mib is up 0.5 percent to EUR27,869.59.

Among the smaller listings, the Mid-Cap is in the green 0.5 percent to EUR43,747.58, the Small-Cap in the green 0.3 percent to EUR27,661.21, and Italy Growth is in the red 0.2 percent to EUR9,124.58.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is up 0.4 percent as is Paris' CAC 40, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 is advancing 0.1 percent.

On the highest-capitalization basket in Piazza Affari, Banco BPM is off to a good start, posting a plus 1.6 percent with price at EUR3.96.

Also advancing is Diasorin, which is also in the high quarters with a green of 1.3%.

ERG - up 0.7 percent - on Friday reported that it was promoted by MSCI Inc. a leading ESG corporate performance research company to the "AAA" rating, an improvement from its "AA" rating in 2022, putting it in the "Leader" category.

FinecoBank, on the other hand, gave up 1.2 percent with price at EUR12.63. Of note, Marshall Wace raised its short on the stock to 1.32 percent from 1.29 percent previously.

On the cadet segment, Cembre moves ahead with 1.3% to EUR31.60 after eve's loss of 1.9%.

Good buys also on Mutuionline, which scores a plus 1.2% rearing its head after three sessions among the bearish.

Sanlorenzo, on the other hand, gives up 3.0% to EUR37.50 per share on the heels of eve's red.

OVS retreats 1.9%. The company--engaged in its buyback program--reported Thursday that it bought back 195,089 of its own ordinary shares between June 8 and June 14, for a total value of EUR519,000 or so.

On the SmallCap, Fidia advances 7.1 percent, following eve's green with 1.9 percent.

AbitareIn also did well, marking a plus 5.5 percent. The company's board of directors Tuesday approved the consolidated half-year report as of March 31, 2023. The first half of the year ended with consolidated revenues of EUR76.7 million from EUR66.4 million as of March 31, 2022, "substantially influenced by the delivery of apartments to clients and the conclusion of the via Cadolini transaction."

Aquafil, on the other hand, brings the bar forward 3.2 percent after a 1.2 percent loss on the eve.

Bastogi, on the other hand, gives up 6.4 percent to EUR0.5900.

Among SMEs, however, Ambromobiliare rises 3.8 percent with new price at EUR1.36 after four bearish sessions.

Generalfinance--flat at EUR7.80--and Banca Cassa di Risparmio di Savigliano on Friday signed a four-year agreement aimed at the recession of tax credits related to the Superbonus, with a tax value of EUR10 million.

Agatos, on the other hand, rises 2.1 percent, following eve's green of 0.3 percent.

In New York overnight Europe, the Dow rallied 1.3 percent, the Nasdaq picked up 1.2 percent, while and the S&P 500 put up 1.2 percent.

Among Asian exchanges, the Nikkei closed up 0.8 percent, the Hang Seng is up 1.3 percent, while the Shanghai Composite is picking up 0.6 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0938 against USD1.0910 at yesterday's European equities close. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2786 from USD1.2743 on Thursday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD75.53 per barrel versus USD74.27 per barrel last night. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,960.72 an ounce from USD1,956.41 an ounce last night.

Friday's macroeconomic calendar includes Italy's inflation, due at 1000 CEST, and with Eurozone inflation due an hour later. Also scheduled for release is Italy's trade balance data, at 1100 CEST.

Among companies in the Piazza Affari, no special events are scheduled.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News senior reporter

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