(Alliance News) - European stock markets move slightly higher Tuesday as trading rooms prepare for the latest U.S. inflation reading in an attempt to anticipate interest rate decisions by major central banks this week.

The ECB, BoE and U.S. Fed are all set to keep rates at multi-year highs, pushing attention to any "hints" on the timing and pace of potential rate cuts starting next year.

The FTSE Mib is advancing 0.3 percent to 30,522.35.

Among the smaller listings last night, the Mid-Cap is rising 0.3% to 42,819.33, the Small-Cap is up 0.2% to 26,720.83, and Italy Growth is up 0.3% to 8,090.11.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is advancing 11.90 points, Paris' CAC 40 is advancing 18.50 points, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is advancing 12.30 points.

Among Asian exchanges, the Nikkei closed up 0.1 percent, the Shanghai Composite picked up 0.4 percent, and the Hang Seng advanced with 1.2 percent.

On the Mib, Banco BPM advanced well, posting a plus 2.7 percent at EUR5.16 per share. The board of directors approved the Group's Strategic Plan 2023-2026. "The ambition of the new Plan is to increase shareholder remuneration very significantly, leveraging financial and industrial levers that will give further impetus to the growth of total revenues to EUR5.4 billion as of 2026 from EUR5.25 billion at the end of 2023," reads the released note.

On the profitability front, the group is targeting net income of over EUR1.5 billion to 2026 from EUR1.2 billion to 2023 and ROTE to 13.5 percent to 2026 from 12 percent to 2023.

The buy side also prevails well on Amplifon, which advances with 1.2 percent, in its third session among the bullish.

Banca Mediolanum, meanwhile, marks a plus 1.2 percent, with new price at EUR8.47 per share, in its third session among the bullish.

Telecom Italia is stepping back 0.8 percent after the 0.9 percent red on eve.

On the cadet segment, boost on Brunello Cucinelli, which is marking a plus 1.8%, with the stock aiming for its fourth session to ask among the bullish.

Boost also on another luxury stock, Salvatore Ferragamo, which moves ahead 1.0% on its third bullish session.

Technogym--up 0.3 percent--announced Tuesday that it purchased--in the period between Dec. 4 and Dec. 8--113,000 shares of common stock. The average price pondered was EUR8.67 per share for a value of about EUR979,000.

Zignago Vetro also spurred, rising 1.2 percent in its third bullish session.

On the SmallCap, Seri Industrial advances 4.6 percent to EUR3.40 per share after a 1.8 percent loss on the eve.

Gequity after the bell advanced 4.2%, with new price at EUR0.019, while Mondo TV marks a plus 4.0%, pointing to its third bullish daily candle.

Basicnet advances 3.4 percent, following a 0.3 percent loss in the previous session.

Among SMBs, Bellini Nautica advances well, bringing the bar up 7.8 percent, heading for its third bullish session.

Intred, meanwhile, marks a plus 5.5 percent on its sixth bullish session.

Doxee moves ahead 2.8 percent, toward its third bullish session.

On a negative note, in a still uneventful list, Impianti brings down 5.2 percent, the subject of profit-taking after three sessions of double-digit gains.

In New York, the Dow closed ahead 0.4 percent, the Nasdaq up 0.2 percent, and the S&P 500 advanced 0.4 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0790 against USD1.0772 recorded at Monday's European stock close, while the pound is worth USD1.2560 from USD1.2664 on Monday evening.

Brent crude is worth USD75.95 per barrel versus USD76.40 per barrel at Monday's close. Gold, meanwhile, trades at USD1,984.80 an ounce from USD1,992.90 an ounce last night.

Tuesday's macroeconomic calendar includes the Zew index on sentiment in the Eurozone and Germany at 1100 CET, and an hour later will come the U.S. small business optimism report.

In the morning, auctions of three-month Spanish Letras, five-year British Gilt and one-year Italian BOTs will be held.

In the afternoon, at 1430 CET, eyes will be on U.S. inflation while, at 1800 CET, will come the EIA's short-term energy forecast. At 2230 CET, the day will close with data on weekly oil stocks.

Among the companies in the Square Business, no special events are expected.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News senior reporter

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