(Alliance News) - The Mib index gave ground Friday to stand at 26,900 points, with trading rooms assessing the day's economic data. U.S. job growth was well above expectations last month, according to Friday's data, causing the dollar to appreciate and bringing the spotlight back on the Federal Reserve, which slowed the pace of rate hikes this week by "only" 25 points.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 517,000 in January, nearly double the 260,000 in December. According to FXStreet, the January figure far exceeded the consensus of 185,000.

In the Old Continent, on the other hand, industrial producer prices rose 1.1 percent in the Eurozone and 1.2 percent in the EU in December compared to the previous month, according to data released by Eurostat on Friday. In November 2022, prices fell 1.0 percent in the eurozone and 0.9 percent in the EU. In December 2022, compared with December 2021, industrial producer prices increased by 24.6 percent in the euro area and 25.2 percent in the EU.

Thus, the FTSE Mib closed 0.6 percent in the red at 26,950.74.

The Mid-Cap closed in the green by 0.5 percent to 46,677.93, the Small-Cap in the green by 0.3 percent to 30,073.34, while Italy Growth finished up 0.5 percent to 9,591.99.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 rose 0.9 percent, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 closed down 0.2 percent. London's FTSE 100, on the other hand, closed in the green by 1.0 percent, after hitting a record high at 7,907 points.

On the main list in Piazza Affari, Pirelli was at the top, up 3.6 percent on the heels of its 1.6 percent gain on the eve of trading.

Also good session for oil companies Saipem and parent company Eni, up 1.6 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively.

Ferrari gives up 2.0% the day after releasing preliminary results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2022, reporting a full-year net profit of EUR939 million, up 13% from a year earlier when it amounted to EUR833 million. As for fourth-quarter net income, this stands at EUR221 million in 2022 from EUR214 million in fourth-quarter 2021.

CNH Industrial -- down 1.1 percent -- on Thursday released its fourth-quarter and full-year 2022 results, its first as a player in Agriculture and Construction, confirming that the board intends to recommend an annual dividend per share of EUR0.36. In the 12 months to Dec. 31, the group made a net profit of USD2.04 billion up from USD1.80 billion in 2021. The company also announced that the board of directors has decided to delist from Euronext Milan and "that shareholders will benefit more from listing on the NYSE only," the company explained in a note.

Nexi, on the other hand, gives up 2.8 percent, subject to profit taking after three sessions of good gains.

On the Mid-Cap, Iren gives up 3.7 percent after two sessions closed with a positive balance.

Webuild--which gave up 0.3%--reported Friday that it had signed a contract to buy Clough, taking over EUR4 billion of backlog and securing 1,100 jobs. The integration of Clough into Webuild will create a group that is among the largest players in Australia and among the most historic. The projects included in the acquisition scope are among the most important infrastructure projects under construction in Australia and Papua New Guinea, and the agreement reached between Deloitte and Webuild facilitates their delivery for the governments, local communities, and businesses involved.

Piaggio appreciated 1.0%. Worth mentioning last week the Vespa company released preliminary fiscal year 2022 figures on Thursday reporting consolidated revenues as of December 31 of EUR2.09 billion, up 25 percent from the EUR1.67 billion reported for the full year 2021.

Positive session for Salvatore Ferragamo, which rises 1.3 percent after a 1.5 percent loss on eve.

On the Small-Cap, Trevi Finanziaria rises 8.6% to EUR0.4550, in its third bullish session.

Alkemy, on the other hand, rises more than 13 percent. The company announced on Wednesday that it has launched an internal division dedicated to funds, "capable of supporting the strategy and developing the business of the investees in its portfolio with the aim of accelerating their growth by making the most of all the levers of digital," as explained in a note.

algoWatt - down 2.1 percent - announced a strategic partnership with subsidiary TerniEnergia Progetti - a system integrator and O&M provider in the renewable energy sector - and Wegreenit, a general contractor in energy efficiency operations.

Risanamento is in the red by 1.8 percent, after the board of directors announced Thursday that it had reviewed preliminary results for 2022, whereby the company reported a net loss of EUR53.8 million from EUR24.9 million in the same period last year.

Among SMEs, Finanza.Tech, on the other hand, gives up 3.9 percent to EUR0.8210.

Also in the rear ranks is Franchetti, which gives up 2.5 percent, while Grifal retreats 2.1 percent in the wake of the eve's red with 0.7 percent.

Among the bullish performers, Growens stretches over 21%. The company announced Friday that its board of directors has voted to approve the signing of a binding agreement for the sale of Growens' MailUp business unit and its holdings in Contactlab Spa, Acumbamail SL, MailUp Nordics A/S and its subsidiary Globase International Aps to TeamSystem Spa for a total consideration of EUR70 million on a cash/debt free basis.

Fope, on the other hand, rises 5.0 percent on the heels of eve's 3.2 percent green.

In New York, the Dow is rallying 0.2%, the Nasdaq is up 0.1%, and the S&P 500 is giving up 0.2%.

Among currencies, the euro changes hands at USD1.0833 versus USD1.0917 at Thursday's close. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2071 from USD1.2255 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD81.14 per barrel compared to USD82.70 per barrel on Thursday evening. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD1,867.23 an ounce from USD1,919.70 an ounce last session.

On Monday's macroeconomic calendar, comes the construction PMI index at 0930 CET from Germany, as well as from France and the Eurozone. At 1030 CET, it will be the turn of that of the United Kingdom.

At 100 CET, it will be the turn of the Eurozone retail sales figure.

In the afternoon, from the States, at 1730 CET the auction of three-month Treasury bonds.

Among companies, results from Anima Holding, Credito Emiliano, Medica and Nusco are expected.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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