(Alliance News) - European stock markets on Monday morning confirm expectations and open in positive territory, despite the few cues expected for the day from a macroeconomic perspective.

Thus, the FTSE Mib is in the green by 0.6 percent to 31,332.86, as is the Mid-Cap to 45,433.27, the Small-Cap picks up 0.3 percent to 27,302.38, as is Italy Growth to 8,110.55.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 is in the green by 0.4 percent, London's FTSE 100 is in fractional green, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 gains 0.3 percent.

On the Mib, banks are off to a good start with Banca Monte dei Paschi taking the top spot, gaining 2.8 percent, followed by BPM, up 2.4 percent.

The latter reported Thursday that it ended 2023 with a net profit of EUR1.26 billion, up 85 percent from EUR685.0 million a year earlier.

In the fourth quarter alone, the bank posted a net income of EUR321.1 million, which compares with EUR319.0 million in the previous quarter.

Net interest income rose to EUR3.29 billion from EUR2.31 billion a year earlier while, in the fourth quarter alone, it touched EUR867.7 million, stable on a sequential basis.

Mediobanca -- in the red by 0.6 percent -- reported Thursday that it closed the first half of its 2023-2024 fiscal year with net income up 10 percent to EUR611.2 million from EUR555.5 million in the same period a year earlier.

Net interest and other banking income rose 4.3 percent to EUR1.73 billion from EUR1.66 billion as of Dec. 31, 2022, with net interest income up to EUR996.5 million from EUR842.9 million a year earlier. Costs increased to EUR735.4 million from EUR690.9 million.

Among the bearers was Iveco Group, which gave up 1.7 percent. The board of directors on Friday approved results for the 2023 fiscal year, which closed with an adjusted net profit of EUR352 million from EUR127 million in 2022.

The board plans to propose to the company's shareholders the payment of an annual dividend of EUR0.22 per ordinary share, totaling about EUR59 million.

Consolidated revenues were EUR16.21 billion, up 13 percent. Net revenues from industrial activities of EUR15.9 billion, up 12.1 percent, mainly due to better pricing and higher volumes and mix.

Oil sector contrasted, with Saipem rising 1.8% and Eni giving up 0.3%.

On the cadet segment, Saras gives up 6.7 percent after announcing that Massimo Moratti Sapa of Massimo Moratti, Angel Capital Management Spa and Stella Holding Spa and Vitol BV, a Dutch company, have entered into a sale and purchase agreement under which the Moratti family has agreed to sell shares in Saras representing about 35 percent of the company's share capital to Vitol at a price of EUR1.75 per share.

The price per share implies a capitalization of Saras around EUR1.7 billion.

Tod's rises 17 percent after the company and L Catterton made it known Saturday that the Italian listed company's majority shareholders -- Diego Della Valle, Andrea Della Valle, DI.VI. Finanziaria di Diego Della Valle & C. Srl and Diego Della Valle & C. Srl - have signed a framework agreement with Crown Bidco Srl for the latter's purchase of 11.9 million shares at EUR43.00 each, or 46 percent of the share capital, aimed at delisting from the Italian stock exchange.

Crown Bidco's share capital is wholly owned by LC10 International AIV, L.P., a fund managed by affiliates of L Catterton Management Limited, formed through a partnership between Catterton and LVMH.

Credito Emiliano -- in the green by 0.7 percent -- reported Thursday that it ended 2023 with a net profit of EUR562.1 million, which compares with a net profit of EUR326.1 million in 2022.

The sharp increase in net income prompted the bank's board to propose the distribution of an annual doubled dividend of EUR0.65 compared to EUR0.33 paid last year.

Cementir Holding rises 0.2 percent after reporting Thursday that it ended 2023 with revenues of EUR1.69 billion, down slightly from EUR1.72 billion in 2022.

Among smallcaps, Piquadro rises 1.9 percent after reporting Thursday that revenues for the first nine months rose to EUR131.5 million from EUR126.8 million in the same period a year earlier.

Mondo TV--up 2.7 percent--reported Wednesday that it had reached an agreement with Yamato Video to distribute some material from its library in Italy.

The board of Banca Sistema - in the red by 0.3 percent - on Friday approved the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, which closed with a net profit of EUR16.5 million compared to EUR22.0 million in 2022.

Net interest income, at EUR67.0 million, was down 22 percent year-on-year.

Among SMEs, Comal - in the green by 4.5 percent - announced Monday that it has signed a contract worth about EUR27.5 million with a leading Italian energy company for the turnkey, EPC-M supply of a photovoltaic plant in southern Italy.

The contract also includes the sale of the "SUN HUNTER" tracker, a proprietary product designed and manufactured by Comal in its Montalto di Castro factory.

Triboo -- in the red by 1.9 percent -- reported Friday that the board of directors found consolidated revenues and adjusted Ebitda for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 to be below the forecasts of the 2023-25 business plan, approved on March 15, 2023.

Specifically, preliminary management figures as of Dec. 31 forecast consolidated revenues of about EUR80 million with an adjusted Ebitda margin of about 12 percent, the company specified in a note.

In Asia, it is reported that the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges are closed for Chinese New Year and the Tokyo stock exchange for Foundation Day.

In New York on Friday, the Dow closed in the red 0.1 percent to 38,671.69, the Nasdaq rose 1.3 percent to 15,990.66 and the S&P 500 finished in the green 0.6 percent to 5,026.61.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0780 against USD1.0785 recorded at Friday's European stock close, while the pound was worth USD1.2638 from USD1.2631 on Friday evening.

Brent crude is worth USD81.35 per barrel versus USD81.51 per barrel at Friday's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD2,040.55 an ounce from USD2,035.75 an ounce Friday night.

Monday's calendar includes, at 1100 CET, the Spanish consumer confidence index and from the Eurozone the publication of the EU economic forecasts to coincide with the start of the Eurogroup meeting.

At 1700 CET in the US, data on consumer inflation expectations are published.

On the bond front, French BTF auctions with 3-, 6- and 12-month maturities are expected at 1355 CET, while from overseas it is the turn of US Treasury bond auctions with 3- and 6-month maturities.

Among companies listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, Edison's results are expected.

By Claudia Cavaliere, Alliance News reporter

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