(Alliance News) - Major European indexes closed mixed on Thursday following the release of U.S. PCE data. PCE prices in January rose 0.3 percent on a monthly basis, up from 0.2 percent in December, and the core index rose to 0.4 percent from 0.1 percent, as expected.

As a result, the FTSE Mib closed 0.1 percent in the red at 32,580.94, the Mid-Cap gave up 0.3 percent to 45,580.05, the Small-Cap finished down 0.2 percent to 27,969.21, and Italy Growth closed 0.3 percent in the red at 8,222.14.

Paris' CAC 40 finished down 0.3 percent, Frankfurt's DAX 40 was down plus 0.4 percent, and London's FTSE 100 closed just above par.

"The morning session saw the FTSE 100 rise from two-week lows, but signs of weakness returned in the afternoon session. The contrast with the DAX could not be more stark: British data was not great, but German data was terrible, yet the latter index hit a new record high," comments Chris Beauchamp, Chief Market Analyst at online trading platform IG.

"It was not long ago that markets would have given in heavily on the news that U.S. inflation was on track. But for now, any sign that inflation is holding up is welcome. Although jobless claims rose last week on both an initial and ongoing basis, this failed to dent sentiment much, especially with hopes of a Fed rate cut in May," the analyst concludes.

On the Mib, results reward Saipem, Poste Italiane and Prysmian.

The oil company ends the session on top with a gain of more than 13 percent after reporting Wednesday that it returned to profit in 2023, closing the year to Dec. 31 at EUR179 million from a loss of EUR209 million in 2022. The board of directors said it has approved a dividend policy to return to dividend in 2025, based on expected results in 2024.

The board of Poste Italiane -- in the green by 3.1 percent -- on Thursday released its preliminary consolidated results for fiscal year 2023,which closed with a net profit of EUR1.93 billion compared to EUR1.58 billion a year earlier. The board also raised the prospect of distributing a dividend of EUR0.80 per share, bringing the total amount of dividends to EUR1.00 for 2023, a growth delta of 23 percent from EUR0.65 paid a year earlier.

Prysmian follows up 2.6 percent after reporting Thursday that it ended 2023 with net income up 5.0 percent year-on-year to EUR529 million from EUR504 million in 2022.

Revenues fell slightly, by 1.1% to EUR15.35 billion from EUR16.07 billion.

Also among the day's best stocks was Moncler, which moved ahead 5.0%. On the luxury stock, UBS, RBC, JP Morgan and Jefferies raised their target prices on Thursday.

Poorly performing Amplifon,Tenaris, Stellatins and Eni, which close down between 0.9% and 1.1%.

On the Mid-Cap, the board of directors of Lottomatica Group-which ends at the bottom in the red by 3.5 percent-on Thursday reviewed the draft consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023, which closed with an adjusted net profit of EUR215.9 million, up 29 percent from the 2022 pro forma. In contrast, the reported figure was EUR68 million from EUR72 million in 2022.

The board resolved to propose to the shareholders' meeting the payment of a dividend of EUR0.26 per ordinary share. Taking into account the shares issued as of the current date, this is equivalent to a distribution of EUR65.4 million, representing a 30 percent pay-out of adjusted net income.

Aeroporto Guglielmo Marconi of Bologna announced Wednesday that Sonia Bonfiglioli has submitted her resignation as an independent, nonexecutive director due to "disagreement on the possible effects of the profit distribution policy under discussion, having verified the impossibility of finding a synthesis between the different positions."

Worse is only Seco, down 4.5 percent.

Italmobiliare, on the other hand, closes on top with a gain of 5.0%. The company announced that it will sell its 32 percent stake in AGN Energia, realizing EUR100 million from the sale.

This is 20 percent higher than AGN Energia's last net asset value valuation, resulting in a capital gain of about EUR40 million and a money-on-money return of 1.8 times for Italmobiliare, which had entered Autogas Nord in 2018, before the latter took over Lampogas, creating AGN Energia.

On the Small-Cap, Digital Bros - up 1.7 percent - reported Wednesday that subsidiary 505 Games has signed an agreement with Remedy Entertainment to sell publishing, distribution, and marketing rights related to the Control saga video games.

The payout amounts to a minimum of EUR15.7 million with a potential minimum margin, an amount corresponding to the investments made by 505 Games.

Biesse--in the red by 2.6 percent--reported Wednesday that the board approved the 2024-2026 business plan, forecasting average annual revenue growth of between 2 percent and 4 percent over the plan period. Ebitda margin is expected between 8% and 10% while Ebit margin is expected between 4% and 5%. Capex in plan arc will be EUR150 million.

Sogefi advances 6.9% after gaining 70% in the last month. Over the past year, it has posted triple-digit gains.

Among SMEs, Generalfinance closes down 1.0% after announcing that it has signed, with Banca Cassa di Risparmio di Savigliano, an amendment to the existing four-year agreement signed on June 16, 2023, aimed at the recession of tax credits related to the Superbonus, for a tax value increased from EUR10 million to EUR15 million.

Relatech ends 1.7 percent in the red after reporting Thursday that it ended 2023 with revenues of EUR91 million compared to EUR61 million-or EUR92 million pro forma-in 2022.

The outward component of 2023 is EUR26 million or so, up about 45 percent on consolidated figures and 7 percent on 2022 pro forma figures.

H-Farm ends the session up 27%.The stock is up 20% in the last month, but has given up 31% in the last six months and 34% in the last year.

In New York, the Dow Jones gives up 0.2 percent, the S&P is just below par while the Nasdaq is in fractional green.

Among currencies, the euro changes hands at USD1.0808 versus USD1.0837 recorded at Wednesday's European stock close, while the pound is worth USD1.2635 from USD1.2664 last night.

Brent crude is worth USD83.73 per barrel versus USD83.38 per barrel at Wednesday's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD2,045.87 an ounce from USD2,032.76 an ounce Wednesday night.

Thursday's calendar opens at 0230 CET in China with the manufacturing and services PMI index, followed by the Caixin index at 0245 CET.

At 0800 CET, the national house price index will be released in the UK.

Between 0945 CET and 0955 CET, the French, German, Italian and Eurozone manufacturing PMI indices are expected, while Italy's monthly unemployment rate is due at 1000 CET, followed at 1030 CET by the UK PMI.

At 1100 Italian February and Eurozone inflation is expected, along with the unemployment rate.

In the afternoon, the US manufacturing PMI will come out at 1545 CET followed by the ISM index at 1600 CET.

In Piazza Affari, the results of Networks, Spindox and Tweppy will come out.

By Chiara Bruschi, Alliance News reporter

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