(Alliance News) - The FTSE MIB index closed higher placing the bar above the 27,900 mark Monday, a level not seen since January 2022. More broadly, European stock markets performed well on the first day of a week that will be marked not only by corporate results but also by an important macroeconomic calendar, including the U.S. employment report - specifically payrolls - scheduled for Friday. It is precisely on the economic data that there will be the increasingly accurate assessments of the trading rooms, alert to understand and carp about the possible path of the major central banks.

On Monday in the CME Group platform's FedWatch Tool -- using futures also based on the actual federal funds rate, or EFFR -- the main rate hike for the March 22 meeting has a 72 percent probability of a hike in the 475/500 bps range. In contrast, the probability of an increase in the 500/525 bps area is at 28%. The current target is between 450 and 475 bps.

On the Eurotower front, however, ECB chief economist Lane said it would be appropriate to raise interest rates further beyond the March meeting, as inflation in the currency bloc remained high.

Thus, the FTSE Mib, rose 0.5 percent to 27,949.29 bringing the rise since the beginning of 2023 to nearly 18 percent.

Among the smaller listings, the Mid-Cap rose 0.3 percent to 45,122.04, the Small-Cap gave up 0.1 percent to 30,541.24, while Italy Growth finished in the green by 0.7 percent to 9,502.91.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 gave up 0.3 percent, Paris' CAC 40 advanced 0.5 percent,as did Frankfurt's DAX 40.

On the main list, Telecom Italia dictated the pace, which closed up 3.1 percent. The company was boosted by the announcement on Sunday that Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Macquarie had also submitted their bids for TIM's network. According to rumors in the Italian press, CDP and Macquarie's bid is expected to be equal in size to KKR's EUR20 billion bid, but is expected to offer more cash--between EUR1.5 billion and EUR2 billion--than that of the U.S. fund.

High quarters also saw BPER Banca, which finished in the green by 2.0 percent at EUR2.7540, pending the release of results scheduled for Thursday.

Good trades also on Nexi--which rallied 1.6 percent--after reporting Friday that it had purchased 245,000 of its own ordinary shares between Feb. 22 and March 2, for a total value of EUR1.9 million.

Among the bearers, FinecoBank dropped 1.5 percent. It reported on Monday that it recorded net inflows in February of EUR870 million, of which EUR185 million related to assets under management. Thus, in the first two months of the year, inflows are EUR1.6 billion, with the asset management component rising to EUR886 million.

Amplifon, on the other hand, gave up 2.2 percent, in the red like the healthcare sector list. Of note, Canada Pension Plan Investment on Friday revised its short position on the stock to 0.79% from 0.8%.

On the cadet list, Alerion gave up 1.5 percent, bringing the price to EUR30.55 with results due to be published on Thursday. The company informed Monday that it bought back its own shares -- from Feb. 27 to March 3 -- for a total value of EUR276,000 or so.

Also at the tail end is Juventus FC, down 1.8 percent after its championship defeat at the hands of AS Roma.

Anima Holding - in the green by 0.1 percent - reported Monday that net inflows of assets under management in February 2023 were positive by EUR383 million, with a negative assets under management component of EUR90 million and one related to class I insurance proxies positive by EUR373 million. At the end of February, the group's total assets under management thus stood at more than EUR180 billion.

Piaggio shares, on the other hand, moved into the higher quarters, advancing 2.8 percent after Friday night's loss.

On the Small-Cap, Mondo TV advanced more than 12 percent, on the heels of the previous session's green with 3.4 percent.

Tesmec, on the other hand, rose 4.6%, on its third session in a row in an uptrend.

SS Lazio - up 2.4 percent - chose NVP, which on Italy Growth rose 1.6 percent, for a strategic agreement through the end of 2028. NVP will be the exclusive partner for the management of the soccer club's new media company, the digital entertainment services "Lazio Style Radio" and "Lazio Style Channel" broadcast on SKY channel 233 in SVOD mode, as well as the management of web and social channels and the creation of the new OTT platform.

Trevi Finanziaria, on the other hand, gives up 2.6 percent to EUR0.4085, marking the third session in a row in contraction.

Among SMEs, expert.ai rises 6.9 percent to EUR0.8870, following Friday's rise again with 6.4 percent.

Digital Magics advances 5.7 percent to EUR3.32. The stock - which has not detached its dividend since 2019 - closed the previous session in the red by 0.9%.

Innovatec gave up 0.1 percent. On Friday it reviewed preliminary operating and financial results for fiscal 2022, reporting revenues as of Dec. 31 of EUR288.7 million from EUR237.8 million in the same period a year earlier, up 21 percent.

CrowdFundMe gives up 4.0% to EUR2.90 per share. Volumes mark 22,200 units traded, against a three-month daily average of about 1,700. The company announced Monday that it has signed an agreement with WeUnit Group, a leading operator of credit mediation and business growth financing.

Through the agreement, WeUnit Group will be able to offer companies in its network CrowdFundMe's full range of fintech solutions - venture capital

bond instruments or loans -, with the aim of structuring extraordinary finance and soft finance operations to raise the funds needed for SMEs' needs.

In New York, the Dow is rising 0.2 percent, the Nasdaq is picking up 0.9 percent, and the S&P 500 closed up 0.6 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0677 against USD1.0599 at Friday's close. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2031 from USD1.1974 on Friday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD85.93 per barrel versus USD85.14 per barrel Friday night. Gold, meanwhile, trades at USD1,850.70 an ounce from USD1,850.90 an ounce at Friday's close.

On Tuesday's calendar, China's trade balance is expected at 0400 CET, while at 0800 CET it will be the turn of the Halifax index of house prices and factory orders in Germany.

At 1600 CET, there will be the congressional hearing of FED Governor Powell, while at 2230 CET weekly oil stocks will be due.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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