(Alliance News) - European stocks moved slightly higher Thursday as investors weighed in on guidance from key central bankers. ECB official Mario Centeno stressed the institution's commitment to adapt monetary policy to local dynamics rather than mirror U.S. actions.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, on the other hand, emphasized the relatively contained inflationary pressures IN uk and Europe compared to the usa.

Finally, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said that the U.S. central bank should not be in a hurry to cut interest rates.

The FTSE Mib is marking a 0.3 percent gain at 33,733.78.

Among other European exchanges, London's FTSE 100 is advancing 0.5 percent as is Paris' CAC 40, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 is advancing 0.2 percent.

The Mid-Cap is advancing 0.2 percent to 46,343.43, the Small-Cap is advancing 0.3 percent to 27,869.38 while the Italy Growth is advancing 0.1 percent 8,017.66.

On the Mib, Enel is moving up 1.5 percent with price at EUR5.86 per share. Deutsche Bank Research on Monday cut Enel's target price to EUR6.30 from EUR6.70 with a 'hold' recommendation.

Good buys also on Prysmian, which is up 1.4 percent to ER49.34per share, reversing course after two sessions among the bearish.

Saipem, on the other hand, opened 1.2 percent in the red as it awaits quarterly results due on Monday.

DiaSorin, on the other hand, gives up 1.0 percent to EUR89.7 per share, following eve's green with 3.7 percent.

On the cadet segment, boost on MFE, with class A and B shares appreciating 6.5%and 7.2%, respectively. The group's fiscal year 2023 financial results, approved Wednesday by the board of directors, are well above the company's estimates from the beginning of the year. Net income - excluding the accounting impact arising in the two years from the contribution of the shareholding in Prosiebensat1 - is positive at EUR217.5 million, up 18 percent from EUR184.7 million in 2022.

OVS -- leading the list with assets of 7.6 percent -- announced Thursday that it ended the year ended Jan. 31, 2024 with a reported net profit of EUR52.4 million, up from EUR39.6 million in the same period last year. The board of directors proposed a dividend of EUR0.07 from EUR0.06 as of Jan. 31, 2023. Net sales stood at EUR1.54 billion from EUR1.51 billion as of January 31, 2023.

In contrast, d'Amico is giving up 1.7 percent, after 3.8 percent in the green on the eve.

Technoprobe, on the other hand, is giving up 1.3 percent to EUR7.98 transaction, in its third bearish session.

On the Small-Cap, SIT is advancing, posting a plus 5.7%at EUR1.57 per share, breaking the three-session bearish mini-trend.

Avio, on the other hand, is picking up 3.1 percent with new price at EUR10.80 per share. The stock has increased its market cap by more than 26 percent since the beginning of 2024.

At the tail end, Neodecortech marks a minus 5.6 percent, bringing its weekly copper liability to over 11 percent.

Among SMEs, in a still uneventful list, Energy leads the rises with a surplus balance close to 10% in its fourth session in the green.

By contrast, Confinvest advances 4.9 percent, bringing its weekly surplus to over 33 percent.

At the tail end, Alfonsino gives up 5.5 percent, the subject of profit-taking after two sessions in which it accumulated assets of nearly 24 percent.

In New York on European night, the Dow closed down 0.1 percent, the Nasdaq gives up 1.2 percent, and the S&P 500 left 0.6 percent on the parterre.

Among Asian exchanges, the Nikkei rallied 0.3 percent, the Hang Seng is advancing 1.1 percent, and the Shanghai Composite is green by 0.1 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0681 from USD1.0636 in Wednesday's European stock close while the pound is worth USD1.2471 from USD1.2451 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD87.47 per barrel from USD89.24 last night and gold trades at USD2,376.1 from USD2,390.63 last night.

Thursday's macroeconomic calendar has euro area construction output coming in at 1100 CEST.

China's foreign direct investment will be released at 1200 CEST, the time when EU and Eurogroup leaders will meet.

In the afternoon, at 1430 CEST, space will be given to U.S. jobless claims ahead of home sales by an hour and a half. Later in the day, several members of the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bundensbank will speak. At 2230 CEST, the Fed's balance sheet will be released.

Among the companies in the Piazza Affari, the accounts of Bialetti Industrie and Dotstay are expected.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News senior reporter

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