(Alliance News) - The Mib continues with the bullish trend seen since the bell rang, positioning the point bar in the 0.3 percent area to settle above the 32,700 mark as investors assess a series of corporate results along with the wait for the US PCE data.

The latter - due out in the afternoon - could serve to get some additional clues on the Fed's moves, expected for the first cut in the cost of money, by now, for June.

The FTSE Mib, therefore, rises 0.3 percent to 32,712.62 with an intraday high at 32,784.99.

Paris' CAC 40 advances just above par, Frankfurt's DAX 40 advances 0.4 percent, and London's FTSE 100 advances 0.2 percent.

The Mid-Cap advances 0.2% to 45,796.76, the Small-Cap is just below par 28,026.34, and Italy Growth is giving up 0.4% to 8,207.11.

On the Mib, boost on Saipem, which confirms the lead in the bluechip segment by advancing 10 percent with new price at EUR1.63 per share. The company on Wednesday said it returned to profit in 2023, closing the year to December 31 at EUR179 million from a loss of EUR209 million in 2022. The board let it know that it has approved a dividend policy to return to the dividend in 2025, based on expected results in 2024.

High quarters also on Moncler, which moves ahead 4.2 percent. On the luxury stock, UBS, RBC, JP Morgan and Jefferies raised their target prices on Thursday.

The board of Poste Italiane -- up 3.7 percent -- on Thursday released its preliminary consolidated results for fiscal year 2023,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 23 percent growth delta from EUR0.65 paid a year earlier.

Prysmian -- in the green by 2.7 percent to EUR46.12 -- reported Thursday that it ended 2023 with net income up 5.0 percent year-on-year to EUR529 million from EUR504 million in 2022.

Campari, on the other hand, is giving up 1.4 percent to EUR3.97 per share, after a 3.4 percent red note in the previous session.

Queuing the list is Telecom Italia, which gives up 1.5 percent. The stock - which has been missing the ex-dividend since 2021 - will release its accounts on Wednesday.

On the MidCap, Cembre confirms the good session seen since the bell rang, stepping up 2.5 percent, rearing its head after four closed candles in a bearish trend.

Alerion, on the other hand, marks a plus 1.9 percent, following the 1.4 percent red of the previous session. The company--which is regularly continuing with its buyback plan--closed the previous sessesion down 1.4 percent.

The 'buy' side also prevails well on Technogym, which moves ahead 1.8%, rearing its head after three bearish sessions.

Banca Popolare di Sondrio, on the other hand, gives up 2.5%, with price at EUR6.92 per share, heading for the third session to close with a bearish candle.

The board of directors of Lottomatica Group -- down 2.0 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.

On the Smallcap, Beewize advances 2.9% and bringing the price to EUR0.85, after two sessions closed in the red.

Softlab advances 17% to EUR1.45 per share after two sessions in the red.

In contrast, Sogefi brings the price up 6.1% on its sixth bullish daily candle. The stock, reaching EUR3.14, updates its 52-week high.

Fiera Milano advances 4.5 percent to EUR3.28 per share, thus updating its 52-week high.

Digital Bros--down 0.3 percent--reported Wednesday that subsidiary 505 Games Spa has signed an agreement with Remedy Entertainment PLC 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 0.6 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.

Among SMEs, Giglio.com moves ahead 6.3 percent with price at EUR2.02 per share.

Deodato.Gallery, on the other hand, advances 4.5%, after 3.7% in the previous session.

Relatech - down 8.2% - reported Thursday that it ended 2023 with revenues of EUR91 million compared to EUR61 million - or EUR92 million pro forma - in 2022.

Rear-ends also for Powersoft, which brings the price down 5.8 percent to EUR14.80. It should be noted that the stock has increased its market cap by nearly 48 percent since the beginning of 2024.

In New York - on the European night - the Dow Jones gave up 0.1 percent, the S&P 0.2 percent, while the Nasdaq left 0.6 percent on the parterre.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0837 versus USD1.0837 recorded at Wednesday's European stock close, while the pound is worth USD1.2657 from USD1.2664 last night.

Brent crude is worth USD81.80 per barrel versus USD83.38 per barrel at Wednesday's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD2,030.74 an ounce from USD2,032.76 an ounce Wednesday evening.

On Thursday's calendar, the personal spending price index and the consumer spending price index will arrive from the U.S. in the afternoon at 1430 CET, along with Canada's GDP.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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