(Alliance News) - European stock markets - according to the futures market - are expected to open higher on Monday, kicking off a busy week because of central bank decisions.

The Federal Reserve -- on the heels of a better-than-expected U.S. employment report -- will announce its final rate decision on Wednesday. On Thursday, however, it will be the turn of the Bank of England's European Central Bank.

"The week's economic calendar is packed. On Tuesday the United States will announce its latest CPI update and on Wednesday the Fed will announce its final verdict, then to follow the Swiss National Bank, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England will make their moves known. All four major central banks are expected to hold interest rates steady at current levels, but we will closely examine how they will deal with rate cut expectations that have been "in sight" since late October. It is likely that the accompanying statements will try to appease the doves," commented Swissquote analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya.

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The FTSE Mib, therefore, reports a bullish open of 12.50 points, after closing in the green by 0.9 percent at 30,403.90 Friday evening.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 advances just above par, Paris' CAC 40 rises 9.8 points, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 advances 19.40 points.

On Friday, among the smaller listings, the Mid-Cap closed up 0.9 percent to 42,675.21, the Small-Cap up 0.9 percent to 26,633.03, and Italy Growth advanced 0.8 percent to 8,089.88.

On the Mib, during the last session, Prysmian--up 3.1%--reported that it had been awarded a contract from Petrobras worth EUR100 million.

Prymsian will provide 170 km of electro-hydraulic umbilicals for deepwater operations and related specialized logistics and offshore operations services.

Also among the best - since the bell rang - was Moncler, which advanced 2.4 percent with new price at EUR53.66 per share, in its fifth bullish session.

Recordati, on the other hand, rallied 2.3 percent, with the company continuing its buyback program on a regular basis. Most recently, it announced Tuesday that it had bought back its own ordinary shares - between Nov. 27 and Dec. 1 - for a total value of EUR1.5 million.

Boost also on STMicroelectronics, which closed up 1.3 percent after declining 1.6 percent on the eve.

Among the few stocks in a bearish trend, Banca Monte dei Paschi closed 1.0% down at EUR3.27 after the stock two days ago updated its 52-week high at EUR3.44. Of note, Psquared Asset Management cut its short to 0.36 percent from 0.70 percent previously.

DiaSorin, on the other hand, gave up 0.9 percent, following up the eve's decline with 0.9 percent.

On the Mid-Cap, Saras advanced 4.5 percent, following Thursday night's gain of 1.6 percent.

Salvatore Ferragamo rose 2.4 percent, recovering from the previous session's slight 0.1 percent decline after Deutsche Bank Research downgraded the stock to 'sell' from 'hold' and cut its target price to EUR11.00 from EUR12.00.

Good buys also on another luxury stock, Tod's, which was up 1.7 percent on its third bullish session.

Anima Holding--up 0.7 percent--reported Thursday that it achieved negative group net inflows of assets under management of EUR340 million in November. At the end of November, the group's total assets under management stood at EUR186 billion. The stock is up 0.6 percent.

Among the bearish, narrow minority on the list, Pharmanutra gives up 2.0%, breaking a three-session bullish mini-trend.

Also in the rear, Eurogroup Lamination, which left 3.5 percent on the parterre, in its third bearish session.

On the Small-Cap, Tessellis advanced 8.4 percent, closing with a bullish candle for the fourth session in a row.

Good buys also on Unieuro, which finished the run up 5.6 percent after two sessions with bearish candle.

Seri Industrial advanced 4.1 percent, following the eve's green closed with a more modest 0.6 percent.

In contrast, Caleffi picked up 4 percent, the subject of profit-taking after four sessions ended among the bullish.

Olidata gave up 2.0%, in its fourth bearish session.

Among the SMBs, iVision Tech advanced 6.3%, on the heels of the eve's green closed with a plus 6.3%.

Energy, on the other hand, advanced 5.2 percent, following its double-digit rise on eve.

Green Oleo, on the other hand, picked up 0.6 percent. The company announced Thursday that it has expanded the range of its Halal-certified products. "This globally recognized certification attests to a sustainable product offering that is rigorous in respecting the diverse preferences and needs of consumers, consistent with their cultural and religious traditions," the company's statement read.

Among the few bearish performers was Gentili Mosconi, which left 1.2 percent at EUR3.35 per share on the sidelines, following a 4.3 percent green on the eve of trading.

In New York, the Dow closed up 0.4 percent, the Nasdaq in the green 0.5 percent, and the S&P 500 closed ahead 0.4 percent.

In Asia, the Nikkei advanced 1.6 percent, the Shanghai Composite advanced 0.7 percent, while the Hang Seng is giving up 1.1 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0766 against USD1.0751 recorded at Friday's European stock close, while the pound is worth USD1.2544 from USD1.2537 on Friday evening.

Brent crude is worth USD76.54 per barrel versus USD75.64 per barrel at Friday's close. Gold, meanwhile, trades at USD1,998.94 an ounce from USD2,005.58 an ounce on Friday night.

On Monday's macroeconomic calendar, from the U.S., consumer inflation expectations are due at 1730 CET, while a 3- and 6-month Treasury bond auction is scheduled at 1730 CET, and at 1900 CET it will be the turn of the 3-month and 10-year maturities.

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

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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