(Alliance News) - European stock markets opened slightly higher on Wednesday, with trading rooms awaiting the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision later in the day. While the U.S. central bank is expected to keep interest rates unchanged, all eyes will be on Jerome Powell's comments for more information on the future trajectory of monetary policy.

The FTSE Mib, therefore, marks a fractional rise in the 27,743.31-point area.

London's FTSE 100 advances 0.3 percent, while Paris' CAC 40 marks a 0.4 percent rise as does Frankfurt's DAX 40.

Among the smaller lists last night, the Mid-Cap is down 0.2 percent to 38,314.35, the Small-Cap is in the green 0.1 percent % to 24,384.47, and Italy Growth is up 0.1 percent to 7,628.80.

On the main list in Piazza Affari, Stellantis is off to a good start, moving ahead 2.2 percent to EUR17.98 per share. The company reported Tuesday that it reported a 7 percent year-on-year increase in third-quarter revenues to EUR45.1 billion. The number of vehicles delivered was 11% higher than a year ago at 1.43 million, the Amsterdam-based automaker reported. For the first nine months, sales grew 10 percent year-on-year to EUR143.5 billion.

Good trade on also on BPER Banca, which moves ahead 1.2 percent to EUR3.10 per share, following up on the previous three sessions ended among the bullish.

The board of Iveco -- down 3.4 percent -- reported Wednesday that it ended the third quarter with adjusted net income of EUR84 million, compared with EUR54 million in Q3 2022. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were EUR0.28, up EUR0.18 from Q3 2022. Consolidated revenues were EUR3.8 billion, up 6.7 percent

Enel - up 0.1 percent - reported Tuesday that it purchased 479,787 of its own ordinary shares between October 23 and 27. The shares were taken over at an average unit price of EUR5.7318, for a total consideration of EUR2.8 million.

On the SmallCap, Ascopiave moves ahead 1.4 percent, with price at EUR2.13 on the heels of eve's 2.4 percent gain.

Carel Industries -- up 0.1 percent -- reported Tuesday that revenues for the first nine months rose 24 percent year-on-year to EUR497.2 million from EUR401.1 million in the same period a year earlier. Excluding the scope change related to acquisitions of EUR52.1 million and the negative foreign exchange effect of EUR6.8 million, the increase would have been 13 percent.

Also among the gainers was Sanlorenzo, which marked a plus 1.2 percent by raising its head again after two sessions in the red.

On the SmallCap, the top of the list is for SIT, which appreciates 7.8% following Tuesday night's 3.0% gain.

Bialetti, on the other hand, marks a plus 2.3%, positioning its snout toward its third bullish session.

BasicNet--which still does not trade with price at EUR4.53--reported Tuesday that the board of directors reviewed results for the first nine months, during which revenues grew 5.3% to EUR297.5 million from EUR282.6 million in the same period of 2022. Ebitda increased to EUR44.7 million from EUR44.1 million, a slight change to positive 1.3 percent.

Among SMEs, Caribbean Company closed up 4.8%, after two sessions closed in a downward trend.

Energy, on the other hand, advances 3.9%, on the heels of eve's green with 2.6%.

NVP--up 0.7 percent--reported Tuesday that it reported revenues up 57 percent year-on-year to EUR19.5 million from EUR12.4 million in the first nine months. The scope of consolidation includes subsidiaries EG Audiovisivi Srl and Produzioni Italia Srl, the latter from Sept. 14, 2023, which contributed revenues of EUR500,000, entirely generated in Italy.

Bellini, on the other hand, gives up 6.8 percent, after rising on the eve equally with 6.8 percent.

In New York, the Dow closed down 0.4 percent, the Nasdaq up 0.5 percent, and the S&P picked up 0.7 percent.

In Asia, the Nikkei advanced 2.4 percent, the Hang Seng gave up 0.1 percent, while the Shanghai Composite picked up 0.1 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0574 against USD1.0662 recorded in Tuesday's European stock close, while the pound is worth USD1.2153 from USD1.2128 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD85.44 per barrel from USD88.00 per barrel at yesterday's close. Gold, meanwhile, trades at USD1,998.55 an ounce from USD1,998.95 an ounce last night.

On Wednesday's economic calendar, at 1030 CET, it will be the turn of the UK manufacturing purchasing managers' index for October.

At 1200 CET, the usual releases on US mortgage applications are expected, and at 1445 CET, focus on the PMI and ISM manufacturing index.

At 1500 CET, new jobs JOLTs for September will be released and, half an hour later, crude oil stocks.

At 1900 CET, the Fed's monetary policy decisions will be announced and, half an hour later, the usual press conference will take place.

At Piazza Affari, Iveco Group's nine-month results are expected.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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