(Alliance News) - Piazza Affari closed higher on Wednesday, bringing the point bar to the 28,900 area. Trading rooms await the release of important economic data for this week, which could influence the monetary policy trajectory of major central banks.

These include Eurozone and U.S. inflation, the latter measured on the PCE basket, the Federal Reserve's preferred yardstick.

As a result, the FTSE Mib closed in the green 0.1 percent to 28,916.70, the Mid-Cap rose 0.4 percent to 42,233.41, the Small-Cap picked up 0.2 percent, and Italy Growth rose 0.2 percent to 8,917.12.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 gave up 0.1 percent, Frankfurt's DAX 40 fell 0.2 percent, and London's FTSE 100 picked up 0.1 percent.

On the blue chip list, among the best was Monte dei Paschi di Siena, which rose 1.9 percent. The bank concluded the placement of an unsecured senior preferred bond issue with a maturity of 4 years - repayable early after 3 years - aimed at institutional investors in the amount of EUR500 million, in line with the objectives of the 2023 funding plan and in compliance with MREL targets. The deal raised orders exceeding EUR700 million from more than 90 investors both Italian and international.

Saipem also closed well, gaining 2.0%. The company announced Tuesday that it had received formal notification of the completion of the Golfinho transaction between BW Energy and Petrobras, under which BW Energy acquired 100 percent of the exploitation rights to the Golfinho field. Under the terms of the agreement signed at the end of June, the consideration BW Energy will pay to Saipem for the sale of the FPSO is USD73 million, of which USD38 million upon completion of the Golfinho transaction and USD35 million in 18 monthly installments following the transfer of the unit.

Leonardo closed up 1.1 percent, marking the third session in a row with a positive balance.

Telecom Italia, on the other hand, picked up 0.7 percent, still benefiting from the news on Monday evening that the Italian government gave the go-ahead for a stake of up to EUR2.2 billion in TIM's fixed-line network through a joint bid with U.S. investment fund KKR.

Among the negative notes, Recordati closed down 0.9 percent, breaking a three-session bullish mini-trend.

ERG, on the other hand, left 1.2 percent on the parterre after a 2.5 percent gain on the eve.

On the Mid-Cap, the board of Brunello Cucinelli - up 6.7% - on Tuesday approved its half-year financial report, which achieves a net profit of EUR66.7 million, up 32% from EUR50.6 million as of June 30, 2022, with a margin of 12.3% compared to 12.2% last year. Revenues amounted to EUR543.9 million, up 31% at current exchange rates compared to June 30, 2022, in line with preliminary figures released last July 13.

In addition, the company announced the launch of a new buyback. In this regard, a maximum of 90,000 Brunello Cucinelli ordinary shares with no par value, representing about 0.1 percent of the company's share capital, may be purchased.

OVS, on the other hand, closed ahead 2.8 percent, in its third session among the bullish.

Saras, on the other hand, picked up 1.4 percent, closing for the fifth session in a row on the bullish side. Of note, Marshall Wace cut its short on the stock to 1.61 percent from 1.82 percent.

Citadel Advisors revises short position on Industrie De Nora to 0.71% from 0.68%, with the stock closing up 0.4% at EUR18.27.

Ariston Holding, among the negative notes, gave up 2.1%, pulling the oars in the boat after two positive sessions.

On the Small-Cap, LVenture advanced 9.3 percent to EUR0.34 per share, after a 1.6 percent decline on the eve of the session.

Seri Industrial, on the other hand, raised the bar 4.8%, on the heels of the eve's green closed with a plus 6.1%.

Strength also on Bialetti Industrie, which by advancing 3.5 percent also positioned itself on the list's highs.

Olidata, on the other hand, rallied 1.2 percent on profit-taking after rallying more than 12 percent at Tuesday's close. The company announced Monday that it had been awarded a 30 percent RTI contract worth more than EUR30 million. The company explained that the framework agreement concerns the awarding related to the supply, maintenance and management of upgrades to Sogei's Data Connectivity Switches for the next 36 months.

Italian Exhibition Group closed down 2.1 percent, after a profit of more than 10 percent at the close on Tuesday.The company said Tuesday that it had posted a profit of EUR10.6 million in the first half of the year, an improvement from a loss of EUR5.6 million in the same period last year. Revenues amounted to EUR119.2 million up from EUR72.7 million in the first half of 2022.

Among SMEs, Innovatec closed up 5.3 percent, in its fourth bullish performance.

GBC initiates stock coverage on Health Italia with 'buy' recommendation and EUR4.00 target price. The stock ended the run up more than 12% at EUR1.67.

Allcore rallied 2.5 percent, setting up its third close in a row on a positive balance.

Estrima--down 9.4 percent--reported that the board of directors had resolved to assign CEO Matteo Maestri to manage and monitor the preparation of a new business plan to be presented by Sept. 27, the date of approval of the first-half report.

Imprendiroma, on the other hand, left 9.1 percent on the parterre, the subject of profit-taking after two sessions of rises in which it accumulated a 25 percent gain.

In New York, the Dow Jones is picking up 0.2 percent, the Nasdaq is in the green by 0.6 percent, and the S&P 500 is advancing with 0.4 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changes hands at USD1.0930 against USD1.0854 in Tuesday's closing European equities while the pound is instead worth USD1.2729 from USD1.2624 Tuesday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD85.63 per barrel versus USD84.69 per barrel at Tuesday's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,944.38 an ounce from USD1,937.10 an ounce Tuesday evening.

On Thursday's economic calendar, China's manufacturing PMI will be released at 0330 CEST, while at 0800 CEST it will be the turn of Germany's retail sales figure, from where, at 0955 CEST, the unemployment figure will also be released. At 1000 CEST, from Italy, will come the unemployment rate, followed at 1100 CEST by the inflation rate.

Also at 1100 CEST, Eurozone inflation and unemployment rate. At 1330 CEST, the minutes of the latest ECB meeting will be released.

From the US, at 1430 CEST, PCE inflation, while at 1730 CEST it will be the turn of the 4- and 8-week Treasury bond auctions.

By Maurizio Carta , Alliance News reporter

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