(Alliance News) - Europe's major stock markets fluctuated around the parity line on Thursday, with investors expressing caution ahead of key Fed and ECB monetary policy decisions scheduled for next week.
Currently, 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 June 14 meeting has a 67 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 33%.
Among other central banks, both the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Bank of Canada surprised markets this week by resuming their rate hike campaigns and raising rates by 25 bps, thus increasing the narrative that the cost of money around the world may remain elevated for a longer period than expected.
The FTSE Mib rises a timid 0.2 percent to 27,107.26.
In Europe, London's FTSE 100 advances just above par, as does the CAC 40 in Paris, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 scores a positive 0.1 percent.
Last night, the Mid-Cap fell 0.2 percent to 42,673.46, the Small-Cap rose 0.2 percent to 27,284.01, and Italy Growth advanced 0.2 percent to 9,188.18.
On the highest-capitalization list in Piazza Affari, Amplifon gives up 2.0 percent with price at EUR34.41 per share after closing among the bullish for five consecutive sessions.
Nexi, on the other hand, retreats 1.2%, veering downward after two bullish sessions.
CNH Industrial--up 1.5 percent--reported that it purchased 762,519 shares of its own common stock between May 29 and June 2. The shares were taken over at an average unit price of EUR12.25 or so, for a total consideration of EUR9.3 million.
Banco BPM -- in the black by 0.1 percent -- announced on Wednesday that it had completed a new Green Senior Non Preferred issue, with a maturity of five years and the possibility of early redemption in June 2027, in the amount of EUR750 million. Orders reached EUR1.3 billion. The bond was issued at a price of 99.955 percent and pays a fixed coupon of 6 percent.
On the cadet segment, among the few bullish performers is Juventus FC, which rises 0.9 percent. of note, the Turin-based club confirmed coach Massimiliano Allegri on the bench for next season.
Credito Emiliano, on the other hand, advances 0.6 percent, bringing its price to EUR6.75 per share.
In red, also the predominant color on this list, Mutuionline gives up 1.5 percent to EUR31.90 per share. On the stock, it is mentioned that the company announced Monday that Alma Ventures SA had purchased 3,047 ordinary shares in the company for a total consideration of EUR84,000 or so.
Also at the back of the pack was Intercos, which posted a minus 1.7 percent after a 1.6 percent gain on the eve of the event.
On the SmallCap, Conafi advances in double digits with more than 10 percent, rebounding after three sessions on the downside in which it accumulated a loss of about 11 percent.
High quarters also for Bioera, which scores a plus 13% on the heels of eve's 3.0% green.
Mondo TV -- up 1.7 percent -- announced Wednesday that it has signed a sales agreement with Chinese company JYS Media for the sale of preschool series Lulu Brum Brum and One Love. The sales agreement has a term of 7 years starting June 1 and includes the payment of a License Fee for the acquisition of distribution rights JYS Media, a subsidiary of Huace Group is internationally known for the management, exploitation and online marketing of video content in the Chinese territory.
I Grandi Viaggi, on the other hand, gives up 2.2 percent to EUR0.8160, with the stock slightly up on the weekly.
Among SMEs, Fos advances with 1.8 percent on the heels of eve's profit with the same poercentage.
Maps Spa--in the money with 0.3 percent--reported that its subsidiary, Iasi Srl has been awarded the support and maintenance service for the personnel management software of the Bari ASL, already a Maps customer with Maps ESG's HR solution. The total amount of the award amounts to EUR958,000 approximately, excluding VAT. Of this amount, EUR606,455 is earmarked for fiscal year 2023 and EUR591,815 for fiscal year 2024, with the addition of possibly EUR24,600 for optional evolutionary maintenance services, to be provided at the request of ASL Bari.
Tecma Solution, on the other hand, gives up 3.0 percent to EUR3.92 per share, heading for the fourth session to end on the losing side.
Notorius Pictures gives instead 2.7 percent to EUR1.46 per share.
In New York overnight Europe, the Dow advanced 0.3 percent, the Nasdaq gave up 1.3 percent, and the S&P 500 gave up 0.4 percent.
Among Asian exchanges, the Hang Seng is rising with 0.2 percent, the Shanghai Composite is up 0.5 percent, while the Nikkei gave up 0.9 percent.
Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0706 against USD1.0706 on Wednesday's European equities close. By contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2457 from USD1.2459 last night.
Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD77.16 per barrel versus USD77.37 per barrel last night. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,945.81 an ounce from USD1,957.87 an ounce last night.
Thursday's macroeconomic calendar, coming up at 1100 CEST on Eurozone GDP and unemployment.
From the US, at 1430 CEST, focus on jobless claims.
Among Piazza Affari companies, the accounts of Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment are expected.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News senior reporter
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