(Alliance News) - Europe's major stock markets veer lower on Tuesday, following a general mood of caution on a day that was poor in terms of macroeconomic data, following the news that Beijing is considering measures to support the stock market and pending the ECB's interest rate decision on Thursday.
Thus, the FTSE Mib is in the red 0.6 percent to 30,012.56, the Mid-Cap gives up 0.1 percent to 44,461.89, the Small-Cap rises 0.3 percent to 27,384.42, while Italy Growth gives up 0.2 percent to 8,288.58.
In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 is down 0.3 percent, London's FTSE 100 gives up 0.2 percent as does Frankfurt's DAX 40.
On the Mib, Monte dei Paschi di Siena remains the best performer as at the opening, rising 1.8 percent. It is followed by Campari and Saipem both up 1.0%.
Among other bullish performers, who are the minority, Nexi and Intesa Sanpaolo gather 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.
Intesa Sanpaolo announced Monday that it has participated in the financing of SunZia, the largest green energy infrastructure in the US.
SunZia involves the construction of the largest wind power plant in the Western Hemisphere, in New Mexico, with a capacity of 3.5 GW; and an 885-kilometer power line between New Mexico and Arizona, capable of transporting 3 GW of clean, safe and affordable electricity to millions of Americans in the Western U.S.
Amplifon gives up 0.8 percent. On Monday, it announced the acquisition of the business of one of Miracle-Ear's major U.S. franchisees. The acquired network, owned by three different companies -- Hearing Pro Inc,, Las Davis Enterprises Inc, and MiracleEar Centers of Arkansas LLC -- includes about 50 outlets located in four states, Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois, and Missouri, with annual sales of about USD20 million and about 85 employees. Miracle-Ear is the brand through which Amplifon operates in the U.S. retail market, through direct and franchise stores.
Stellantis and Leonardo end up on the bottom, losing 1.9 percent.
UniCredit is just above par. It announced Tuesday that, having received approval from the European Central Bank, it will exercise its option to repay in full EUR1 billion of "Fixed Rate Resettable Tier 2 Subordinated Callable Notes" in advance on Feb. 20.
The early redemption of the notes will take place at par, together with accrued and unpaid interest.
Interest will cease to accrue on the same early redemption date.
Hera gives up 1.4 percent. The company announced Monday that a new cogeneration plant at Cafar in Gatteo will be built later this year for decarbonization and energy efficiency by Hera Servizi Energia, the group's ESCo.
The plant will be able to produce 12,000 MWh/year of electricity, or 80 percent of the plant's total needs, and 6,600 MW of hot water, or 89 percent.
On the cadet segment, Piaggio ranks at the top, up 2.0%.
Salvatore Ferragamo follows, in the green by 1.9% after announcing Monday that it has appointed di Pierre La Tour to Group CFO, effective March 18, 2024.
Iren retreats 0.9% after announcing Tuesday that it has signed with UniCredit Spa and BPER Banca Spa two sustainability-linked revolving credit facilities in the form of "committed" lines for a total amount of EUR200 million and a term of three years.
Webuild gives up 2.0 percent after announcing Sunday that it has signed, in a joint venture with Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas Canada, a contract with a total estimated value between approximately EUR700 million and EUR1.3 billion for the development and construction of the "Pape Tunnel and Underground Stations" section of the Ontario Line. The actual final value will be determined based on the executive design, which is included in the contract.
Worse is only Maire Tecnimont, which loses 2.1 percent and closes the list.
Credito Emiliano - tied at EUR8.45 - announced Monday that it had successfully completed the placement of promissory notes under Italian law, totaling EUR200 million.
Juventus FC rises 0.9 percent after announcing Monday that it has bought outright the rights to the services of Tiago Emanuel Embalò Djalo from Lille.
Djalo arrives in Turin for a fee of EUR3.6 million, plus ancillary charges of EUR1.5 million and bonuses of EUR2.6 million in case of certain sporting goals.
Sesa gains 0.9 percent after announcing Monday that it has acquired through Var Group Spa - a wholly owned subsidiary of Sesa - a 51 percent stake in SmartCAE Srl, which will be integrated into the Var4Industries business unit, thus strengthening expertise and software solutions for the engineering sector.
SmartCAE develops engineering software solutions on Siemens Industries Software platforms.
Among smallcaps, Olidata is up 20 percent while on the other side of the list Fidia gives up 11 percent.
I Grandi Viaggi is in the red by 2.1 percent after letting it know Friday that its board of directors approved the draft financial statements ending Oct. 31, 2023, with an operating profit of EUR2.8 million from a loss of EUR140,000 in the same period last year.
Among SMEs, Finanza.Tech advanced 6.3 percent followed by Health Italia, in the green by 5.9 percent.
Gismondi gives up 3.6 percent after announcing on Monday its consolidated management sales results for the fourth quarter of EUR3.8 million, down 15 percent from EUR4.4 million in the same period of 2022. The drop, the company explained, was mainly attributable to a decline in sales on wholesales Europe in the period and special sales, which had performed well in previous quarters.
Total revenues for 2023, on the other hand, amounted to EUR14.3 million and were in line with the previous year's result of EUR14.0 million.
First Capital - flat at EUR17.90 - announced Monday that it had approved the group's reorganization project, "which will enable it to improve the operations and structure of its core business," a note said, through the transfer of holdings in listed companies to its subsidiary First SICAF Spa. The latter's shareholders' meeting also approved a EUR50 million capital increase.
Growens, in the red by 0.4 percent, reported Monday that the Beefree business unit has appointed Justine Jordan as Head of Strategy & Community.
In Asia, the Nikkei closed in the red by 0.1 percent to 36,517.57, the Hang Seng closed in the green by 2.6 percent to 15,353.98, and the Shanghai Composite closed up 0.5 percent to 2,770.98.
In New York on European night, the Dow closed in the green 0.4 percent to 38,001.81, the Nasdaq finished up 0.4 percent to 15,360.29 while the S&P 500 gained 0.2 percent to 4,850.43.
Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0871 against USD1.0888 recorded at Monday's European stock close, while the pound was worth USD1.2714 from USD1.2717 last night.
Brent crude is worth USD79.54 per barrel versus USD79.69 per barrel at Monday's close. Gold, meanwhile, trades at USD2,025.13 an ounce from USD2,023.57 an ounce last night.
Tuesday's macroeconomic calendar from the US includes an auction of one- and two-year Treasury bonds between 1730 CET and 1900 CET, while at 2230 CET it will be time for the release of the weekly oil stocks report.
By Chiara Bruschi, Alliance News reporter
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