(Alliance News) - The Mib index trades just below the 27,300 area Friday, with investors continuing to assess the outlook for the global economy and interest rates ahead of major central bank meetings -- the Fed and ECB -- scheduled for next week.
As for the domestic economy, the latest data showed that Italian industrial activity declined further in April and more than analysts expected. This declined 1.9 percent in April on a monthly basis after falling 0.6 percent in March and with the market expecting a 0.1 percent increase. On an annual basis, industry output fell 7.2 percent after falling 3.2 percent the month before. Economists had expected a 4.1 percent year-over-year decline in April.
Across the border, inflation in China -- the second-largest global economic powerhouse -- was nearly flat in May, official data from the National bureau of statistics of China showed Friday, as the country's economy falters due to weakening demand and declining exports, leading to reinforced calls for a rate cut and more government stimulus.
The FTSE Mib, therefore, marks a fractional red at 27,265.96.
Among the smaller listings, the Mid-Cap is in the red 0.1 percent to 42,894.95, the Small-Cap is advancing 0.1 percent to 27,348.35 while Italy Growth is picking up 0.2 percent to 9,189.49.
In Europe, London's FTSE 100 gives up 0.1 percent as does Paris' CAC 40 , while Frankfurt's DAX 40 gives up 0.2 percent.
On the Mib, Leonardo confirms the rise already seen since the beginning of the session by marking a plus 2.0% at EUR10.38 per share, on the heels of the eve's green with 1.7%.
ERG, which climbs with 1.9%, with price at EUR26.74 after two sessions in the red, follows suit.
JP Morgan raised Generali's target price to EUR22.00 from EUR20.00. The stock is currently up 0.1 percent.
Dragging the list down is the banking segment, with Banca Monte dei Paschi giving ground with 2.2 percent to EUR2.3810. The stock on the weekly marks a 10% green.
BPER Banca, on the other hand, gives up 0.6 percent, while UniCredit rebounds to the downside with 0.5 percent.
On the MidCap, leading the way is Industrie de Nora advances 1.7 percent to EUR20.24 per share touching its new 52-week high.
Autogrill rises 1.2% to EUR6.57 per share, rearing its head again after four bearish sessions.
Salcef, meanwhile, advances 1.1 percent. The company announced Wednesday that its subsidiaries Salcef Spa and Euroferroviaria Srlhave won the tender, called by RFI Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, for the renovation and extraordinary maintenance works to the railway equipment of the Perugia Ponte San Giovanni - Terni and Città di Castello - Sansepolcro sections, the former Ferrovia Centrale Umbra line. The tender, financed by PNRR funds, is worth EUR70 million and will affect a total of about 100 km of track.
Seco, in the rear, gives up 2.1 percent in the wake of the eve's red with 0.8 percent.
Also in the rear is illimity Bank, which marks minus 1.2 percent, the subject of profit-taking after three sessions on the bullish side.
On the SmallCap segment, Pierrel is giving up 3.4 percent, leading the weekly to mark more than 11 percent red.
LVenture, on the other hand, gives up 2.7 percent to EUR0.3290. The stock-which has not detached its dividend since 2002-is poised to close the week at a loss of about 5 percent.
On a positive note Eukedos, which moves ahead 4.4% to EUR1.19 after a 0.4% loss on Thursday evening.
Also advancing is Bialetti, which moves up 2.3% to EUR0.2700 and active close to 5% on the weekly.
Among SMEs, Estrima advances 6.2% to EUR1.38 per share, turning positive after two sessions ended in the red.
eVISO--flat at EUR2.25%--reported on Friday data provided by the Integrated Information System--a public body that manages information flows related to the electricity and gas markets--regarding the annual consumption volumes of the fleet of electricity users subscribed to eVISO in June. These data show a strong recovery in the growth of electricity volumes handled by eVISO in terms of both direct customers and resellers.
Spindox - up 5.5 percent - on Friday reported that it is consolidating plans to develop its Bari office. Terna announced that it has renewed its EUR9.00 billion Euro Medium Term Note bond issue program as the maximum amount that can be subscribed.
In New York, the Dow closed up 0.5 percent, the Nasdaq rose 1.0 percent, and the S&P 500 advanced 0.6 percent.
Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0759 versus USD1.0774 in Thursday's European stock close. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2540 from USD1.2543 last night.
Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD75.98 per barrel versus USD76.31 per barrel Thursday night. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,962.18 an ounce from USD1,965.67 an ounce last night.
On Friday's economic calendar, some macros from Canada are scheduled at 1430 CEST, including the change in the level of employment.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter
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