(Alliance News) - On Friday, major European stock markets opened in positive territory, confirming futures forecasts, on a day marked by a series of macro appointments in the Eurozone, including the inflation figure.

Thus, the FTSE Mib is in the green 0.4 percent to 35,954.86, the Mid-Cap picks up 0.6 percent to 48,195.62, the Small-Cap rises 0.3 percent to 28,030.89, while Italy Growth picks up 0.4 percent to 7,879.96.

London's FTSE 100 is in the green by 0.9 percent, Paris' CAC 40 is up 0.4 percent, as is Frankfurt's DAX 40.

In macroeconomic news, China's economy grew 5.4 percent annually in the fourth quarter, accelerating from 4.6 percent in the third quarter and exceeding market estimates of 5.0 percent.

This was the strongest annual growth rate in 1.5 years, boosted by a series of stimulus measures launched since September to aid recovery and restore confidence.

In addition, industrial production growth reached an 8-month high, while retail sales surpassed a 3-month low.

In the UK, retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.3 percent month-on-month in December, after a downwardly revised 0.1 percent increase in November and compared with forecasts of 0.4 percent, according to data released Friday by the Office for National Statistics.

Also on Friday, the World Bank signaled that global growth is expected to remain stable this year and next, but at recent record lows, expressing particular concern about growth in developing countries.

Growth is expected to reach 2.7 percent in 2025 and 2026, in line with the level reached last year, adding that inflation and interest rates should "gradually decline" over this period.

Back in Milan, on the highest-capitalization list of the Milan Stock Exchange, Stellantis does best of all and takes the top spot with a 2.9 percent gain.

Campari is also up, rising 1.8 percent. The company announced Wednesday that the extraordinary shareholders' meeting approved by a large majority the appointment of Simon Hunt as executive director of the board of directors until the general meeting to be held in 2028.

Therefore, Simon will serve as the new Chief Executive Officer, as designated by the December 4 board meeting.

Iveco Group closes the podium with a 1.5 percent gain.

Azimut Holding--up 0.9 percent--reported Thursday that, based on initial summary data and estimated results, it expects to close the 2024 fiscal year with a net profit of about EUR600 million, placing it in the upper range of the November revised target of EUR550-600 million. Total net inflows in 2024 amount to EUR18.3 billion. Total assets stood at EUR108 billion as of Dec. 31, up 26 percent from end-2023.

Generali -- up 0.3 percent -- aims to become the top foreign insurer in Spain by 2027, overtaking Zurich, Axa and Allianz, as Milano Finanza writes Thursday. The goal is boosted by the integration of Liberty Seguros, acquired in 2023. Currently, Spain is the fourth largest market for Generali, with EUR2.6 billion in premiums, the newspaper adds.

Eni--up 0.8 percent--reported Thursday that Plenitude, through its subsidiary Eni New Energy US, has signed an agreement with EDP Renewables North America to acquire 49 percent of two already operational photovoltaic plants and an electricity storage facility under construction in California.

On the other side of the list, Saipem sits on the bottom, giving up 0.6 percent. As Milano Finanza wrote Thursday, the Courseulles offshore wind project in Normandy is challenging, but the extra costs are manageable for the company.

However, the company's stock also fell due to difficulties in drilling for the wind farm's foundations, with risks of additional costs of hundreds of millions of euros, the newspaper added.

The EUR460 million project involves the construction of 64 turbines and is scheduled to start operation in 2026 instead of 2025. Saipem hopes the owners will cover part of the extra costs, MF continued.

According to Mediobanca, the group's overall performance is not at risk, but the project may not generate significant revenues before 2025.

On the Mid-Cap, De' Longhi--up 0.7 percent--announced Wednesday the start of a share buyback plan for a maximum amount of about EUR60.0 million, or 1.4 percent of the share capital. The program will begin on January 16 and will last up to six months.

Iren rises 1.4 percent. The company announced Thursday that it has placed its first hybrid subordinated perpetual bond issue with a nominal value of EUR500 million.

The issue received applications for subscription nearly eight times the amount offered, totaling orders of EUR4 billion. The settlement date is scheduled for Jan. 23.

Among the bearers are LU-VE, d'Amico and Ascopiave, in the red between 1.3 percent and 0.7 percent.

On the Small-Cap, I Grandi Viaggi--up 3.2 percent--reported Thursday that it had closed its annual accounts as of October 31 with a profit of EUR3.3 million, up from EUR2.8 million in 2023. Revenue from the group's core operations was EUR62.6 million, up from EUR57.0 million in the previous year. Total revenues increased to EUR67.2 million from EUR61.2 million in 2023.

Safilo Group gains 1.1 percent. The company announced Tuesday the renewal of its global design license agreement with Under Armour Inc, a sportswear company, for the production and distribution of eyewear collections through 2031.

The renewal of the agreement, which began in 2020, will allow the two companies to continue to offer high-quality sunglasses and prescription frames, featuring innovative design, comfort and superior performance, aimed at athletes and consumers worldwide.

At the bottom is Bestbe Holding, down 12 percent. Also going down is Digital Bros, down 6.5 percent.

Among SMEs, Fope - not yet affected by trading - reported Thursday that it ended fiscal year 2024 with consolidated net revenues of EUR73.4 million, up 10 percent from EUR66.8 million in 2023.

Adventure rises 1.0 percent. The company announced that the board has approved a EUR2.8 million capital increase reserved for Primo Network shareholders.

Next Geosolutions Europe rises 1.6 percent announced Thursday the award of two contracts worth about EUR41 million with Prysmian Group -- in the green by 1.5 percent on the Mib.

The contracts are for detailed survey services that will provide data for the design and engineering of the Eastern Green Link 1 and EGL 2 submarine power cable systems, key infrastructure projects that will improve the energy link between Scotland and England.

In Asia on Friday, the Nikkei fell 0.3 percent to 38,451.46, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.2 percent to 3,241.82 and the Hang Seng gained 0.3 percent to 19,584.06.

In New York at Thursday's close, the Dow lost 0.2 percent to 43,153.13, the Nasdaq gave up 0.9 percent to 19,338.29 and the S&P 500 closed down 0.2 percent to 5,937.34.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0296 against USD1.0306 on Thursday in closing European equities. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2197 from USD1.2242 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD81.66 per barrel from USD80.50 per barrel at Thursday's European stock close. Gold trades at USD2,739.36 USD2,720.22 an ounce from USD2,680.37 an ounce Wednesday night.

Friday's macroeconomic calendar includes the current account balance for the Eurozone at 1000 CET.

At 1100 CET, again from the Eurozone, room for the inflation figure.

From the US, at 1430 CET, data on the construction sector are due, followed at 1515 CET by industrial and manufacturing production.

At 1900 CET, however, the Baker Hughes report will be released, while at 2130 CET, as usual on Fridays, it will be the turn of the COT Report.

In the Piazza Affari corporate calendar, no events are scheduled.

By Claudia Cavaliere, Alliance News reporter

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