(Alliance News) - On Friday, major European stock markets confirmed expectations and opened in negative territory on a quiet morning in macroeconomic terms, except for London's FTSE100, which was in green.

Thus, the FTSE Mib opens in the red by 0.2 percent at 34,266.80, the Mid-Cap is in fractional red at 47,680.74, the Small-Cap is in the green by 0.2 percent at 27,815.50, while Italy Growth is down by 0.2 percent at 8,160.33.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 is in the red by 0.3 percent, London's FTSE 100 is up 0.3 percent, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 is down 0.1 percent.

In macroeconomic news, German import prices fell 5.9% year-on-year in January, following a 7% drop in the previous month and compared with market forecasts for a 7.4% drop.

This was the 11th consecutive month of falling import costs as prices fell for energy by 28 percent, particularly natural gas by 47 percent, electricity by 34 percent, hard coal by 31 percent, mineral oil products by 13 percent, and oil by 3.2 percent.

In addition, UK retail sales remained flat on a monthly basis in February after a 3.6 percent increase in January, according to the Office for National Statistics. The January figure was revised upward from 3.4 percent.

According to FXStreet, February's retail sales figure was expected to show a decline of 0.3 percent, so the actual figure beat market consensus.

Back in Milan, on the Mib, Iveco Group does best of all by rising 0.8%. Energy sector also pushes up, with Italgas and Snam in the green by 0.8%.

In contrast, Enel opens in the red by 0.7 percent. The company reported Thursday that it ended 2023 with net income doubled year-on-year to EUR3.44 billion from EUR1.68 billion a year earlier.

Revenues dropped 32 percent to EUR95.57 billion from EUR140.52 billion in 2022. The change was mainly attributable to lower average selling prices in an environment of gradual normalization of the energy sector compared to 2022 as well as the different scope of consolidation.

Fitch Ratings announced Thursday that it had raised Banco BPM's ratings -- flat at EUR5.98 per share -- by a notch because of the bank's "robust buffers."

The senior long-term preferred rating was raised to 'BBB-' from 'BBB' metre the senior long-term non-preferred rating rose to 'BB+' from 'BBB-'.

Eni -- in the red by 0.6 percent -- reported Thursday that it has received authorization, in the form of a Development Consent Order, from the U.K. Department of Energy Security and Net Zero for the construction, commissioning and conversion of the CO2 transport-related infrastructure of the HyNet North West project, for which the company is the CO2 transport and storage operator.

The authorization for the construction of a CO2 transport network represents the first example of a cross-border infrastructure project of national significance between England and Wales to be approved via DCO by DESNZ.

At the bottom is Brunello Cucinelli, in the red by 1.7 percent.

On the cadet segment, ENAV rises 1.9% after announcing Thursday that it closed 2023 with a consolidated profit of EUR112.7 million from EUR105.0 million as of December 31, 2022. The company said it had proposed a dividend of EUR0.23 per share from EUR0.1967 in 2022.

Fitch Ratings announced Wednesday that it had upgraded Acea's outlook -- in the green by 0.5 percent -- from Negative to Stable, confirming the long-term issuer default rating at 'BBB+'. In addition, the rating agency confirmed the short-term IDR at 'F2' and the long-term senior unsecured rating at 'BBB+'. The improved outlook reflects Acea's good financial performance recorded in 2023, careful working capital management, and net debt-to-Ebitda ratio in planned arc not exceeding 3.5 times.

MFE-MediaForEurope -- B shares in the green by 0.1 percent and A shares up by 0.5 percent -- on Thursday proposed that the separation of the Dating & Video and Commerce & Ventures segments from the Entertainment Business segment of ProSiebenSat.1 -- in which MFE is the largest shareholder -- be prepared through a "Resolution on the Preparation of a Demerger and Transfer Agreement in Accordance with Section 83 AktG."

The resolution will be submitted to the shareholders' meeting on April 30.

On the Small-Cap, Gabetti Property Solutions gives up 1.7 percent after announcing on Thursday that the group's service company, Treere, has entered into an agreement with Hubique-a proptech company specializing in creating digital solutions in AI, AR, and VR-for the use of HUB Agency, the app to support real estate consulting work.

The app, new to the Toolbox - the digital suite of tools and conventions promoted by Treere - is available to professionals at Gabetti Franchising, Gabetti Home Value and Santandrea Luxury House & Top Properties.

Elica - up 1.9 percent - announced Thursday a revamped brand identity and an investment of more than EUR40 million over 3 years.

doValue rises 2.3% after approving preliminary results as of December 31 on Thursday, closing with a net loss, including nonrecurring items, of EUR17.8 million, compared to a EUR16.5 million profit in 2022. The company also approved the plan to 2026, which forecasts gross revenues in the range of EUR480-490 million, of which 35-40% are non-NPL. Gross Book Value in 2026 is expected to be about EUR110 billion with a funding rate of about 5.5 percent; Ebitda ex-NRI is given in the range of EUR185-195 million, with an Ebitda margin of about 39 percent.

Among SMEs, Comal rises 1.4 percent after it reported Friday that it signed a EUR1.3 million contract to supply the "Sun Hunter" tracker with an Italian operator.

Eurocommercial Properties--up 1.5 percent--reported Friday that it closed 2023 with a net loss of EUR90.5 million from a EUR95.2 million profit in 2022.

The total dividend related to 2023 rises to EUR1.70, up 6.3% from EUR1.60 calculated on 2022 and distributed last year.

Altea Green Power gives up 1.0 percent after announcing Thursday that a co-development agreement for electricity storage systems "BESS Storage" was signed with a major North American investment fund specializing in alternative energy. The value of the sale is more than EUR68 million plus a success fee of up to EUR15 million that will be defined in relation to the achievement of performance ratios agreed between the parties, the company explained in a note.

Bellini Nautica gains 4.7 percent after reporting Thursday that the board approved the draft financial statements, which closed with a net result as of Dec. 31 of EUR241,000, compared to the year ended Dec. 31, 2022, for which a net result of EUR674,000 was reported.

Sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 was EUR11.1 million compared to the figure reported for the year ended December 31, 2022, of EUR12.1 million.

In Asia, the Nikkei rose 0.2 percent, the Hang Seng gave up 2.2 percent, and the Shanghai Composite closed 1.0 percent in the red.

In New York on European night, the Dow closed in the green by 0.7 percent, the Nasdaq rose 0.2 percent while the S&P 500 picked up 0.3 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD10812, against USD1.0859 recorded at Thursday's European stock close while the pound is worth USD1.2590 from USD1.2665 last night.

Brent crude is worth USD85.54 per barrel versus USD85.24 per barrel at Thursday's close. Gold, meanwhile, trades at USD2,167.90 an ounce from USD2,178.50 an ounce last night.

Friday's macroeconomic calendar includes a speech by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell at 1400 CET, while at 1800 CET there will be the release of Baker Hughes data. In the evening, at 2130 CET, the COT Report will be published, as usual on Fridays.

Among the many expected results from companies in the Piazza Affari are those of Brioschi, Class Editori, Fervi, Fope, and Itway.

By Claudia Cavaliere, Alliance News reporter

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