(Alliance News) - On Friday, major European stock markets are expected to be in negative territory on a day to close the week quiet on the macroeconomic front and while inflation data from the Eurozone are expected.

Thus, IG futures give the FTSE Mib down 0.3 percent or down 87.5 points, after closing down 1.0 percent at 27,879.35.

Paris' CAC 40 is expected to be down 18.8 points or down 0.3 percent, Frankfurt's DAX 40 is given down 0.2 percent or down 29.3 points, and London's FTSE 100 is given down 0.5 percent or down 36.1 points.

In macroeconomic news, consumer price inflation in Japan fell to 3.1 percent year-on-year in July, in line with market expectations, according to government data released Friday.

The figure for the world's third-largest economy, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, followed June's 3.3 percent.

On Thursday, among Milan's minor listings, the Mid-Cap gave up 1.3 percent to 41,497.95, the Small-Cap in the red 0.5 percent to 26,868.19 while Italy Growth gave up 0.5 percent to 8,883.96.

On the main index in Piazza Affari, down 0.2 percent for Banco BPM in an almost completely bearish list. The bank announced that, as part of its program of interventions to support businesses, it will launch a new initiative on electronic payments that aims to curb the fees charged to companies and, at the same time, encourage the digitization of payments and the further spread of electronic instruments even for small-value transactions.

In detail, for each transaction made on the PagoBANCOMAT circuit of an amount less than or equal to EUR10.00, executed from October 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, Banco BPM will reimburse merchants for the fees they paid.

At the tail end, Nexi closed down, giving up 3.2 percent of liabilities. The stock, which trades with price at EUR6.72, hit a 52-week low of EUR6.61 per share.

Rear-ends also for FinecoBank, which contracted 2.6 percent, in its fourth session on the downside. Of note, Marshall Wace recently cut short position on FinecoBank to 0.69 percent from 0.79 percent.

Tenaris, on the other hand, lost 0.4 percent, despite announcing that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire from Mattr 100 percent of the shares of its subsidiary Bredero Shaw International, which holds control of the pipe coating business worth USD166 million including working capital, on a cash-free and debt-free basis, subject to customary price adjustments.

Good buying on Eni, with the six-legged dog's stock priced up 0.3 percent, turning upward after three bearish sessions. Also up was subsidiary Saipem, which advanced 0.4 percent.

On the Mid-Cap, among the few bullish performers was illimity Bank, which moved ahead 1.1% in its fourth bullish session.

Zignago Vetro, on the other hand, advanced 0.9 percent, rearing its head after five sessions among the bearish.

Piaggio also did well, posting a plus 0.8% heading for its third session on the bullish side.

Reply, on the other hand, gave up 4.6 percent, with price at EUR88.20, marking a new 52-week low.

Backwardation also for MutuiOnline, which contracted 4.1 percent. The stock traded at a high volume of about 65,000 changed hands compared to a three-month daily average of about 13,800.

Juventus Football Club -- in the red by 2.1 percent -- on Wednesday reported that it had reached an agreement with Società Sportiva Lazio, down 0.5 percent on the Small, for the free temporary transfer, until June 30, 2025, of the rights to the sports performance of the player Nicolò Rovella. The agreed consideration for the outright acquisition is EUR17 million, payable in three fiscal years.

On the Small-Cap segment, strength on LVenture, which moved ahead by 0.9 percent. There is high trading volume on the stock, with nearly 43,000 changed hands compared with a three-month daily average of about 10,600.

Purchases were also made on Fidia, which moved ahead 4.9 percent after two sessions closed with a negative balance, placing the flag at the top of the list.

Autostrade Meridionali gave up 3.8 percent, positioning itself as the worst performer. Of note, the stock has rallied about 31 percent in the past month.

Servizi Italia, on the other hand, fell back 0.8 percent to EUR1.33, cushioning the loss that saw the price on the day drop to EUR1.28, while Mondo TV posted a minus 2.6 percent, bringing the price to EUR0.40.

Among PMIs, boost on Health Italia, which posted a plus 4.4 percent on the heels of the eve's green with 0.7 percent.

On a negative note, a dominant trend on this list as well, Iervolino & Lady Bacardi gave up 7.2%, subject to profit taking after six sessions on the bullish side.

Gismondi 1754 gave up 4.9 percent to EUR4.62 after 0.4 percent green on eve.

In Asia, the Nikkei is giving up 0.7 percent to 31,413.48, the Hang Seng is leaving 1.5 percent on the sidelines at 18,048.74, while the Shanghai Composite is in the red 0.6 percent to 3,145.44.

In New York on Thursday, the Dow Jones closed down 0.8 percent at 34,474.83, as did the S&P at 4,370.36, while the Nasdaq left 1.2 percent on the sidelines at 13,316.93.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0884 versus USD1.0872 in Thursday's European equities close while the pound was instead worth USD1.2764 from USD1.2746 on Thursday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD84.19 per barrel versus USD84.85 per barrel at Thursday night's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,922.05 an ounce from USD1,893.90 an ounce Thursday night.

Friday's economic calendar, at 1100 CEST, includes the release of Eurozone inflation.

From the U.S., meanwhile, at 1900 CEST, will come data on Baker Hughes trievallazione plants while, at 2230 CEST, as usual on Friday, the COT Report.

No special events are expected among the companies in the Square.

By Claudia Cavaliere, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.