(Alliance News) - On Friday, European stock markets are ending a fairly tumultuous week on a positive note for the second day in a row, after a sell-off seen in the week triggered by diminished hopes of early interest rate cuts.

However, traders will keep an eye on speeches by Federal Reserve members for further guidance on the timing and scope of rate cuts this year.

Traders now see the prospect of a March rate cut at just over 50 percent, down from nearly 80 percent at the end of last week.

?Thus, the Mib is advancing 0.2 percent to 30,413.16.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is rising 0.6 percent, Paris' CAC 40 is up 0.3 percent, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is in the green by 0.3 percent.

Among the smaller listings, the Mid-Cap is advancing 0.3 percent to 44,161.95, the Small-Cap in the green 0.1 percent to 27,463.38, and Italy Growth is stepping up 0.5 percent to 8,273.35.

On the Mib, the banking sector is off to a good start, with Banca Monte dei Paschi, Banco BPM and BPER Banca all up 1.0 percent.

Stellantis Group, as shown by yesterday's data, posted a down December, with sales down 15 percent for the month compared to the same month a year earlier, but closed the full year 2023 with a 3.7 percent year-on-year increase. The stock opened trading in the green by 0.1%.

Saipem, meanwhile, rises 0.5 percent, with new price at EUR1.44, rearing its head after two bearish sessions.

On the MidCap, reflecting the good performance of the banking sector, Credito Emiliano advances 1.3%, following up on two previous bullish candles.

Anima Holding - up 1.1 percent - brings the price to EUR4.07, following a 0.8 percent decline on the eve of the day that followed four bullish daily candles.

Lottomatica, on the other hand, is advancing 1.1 percent to EUR10.27 per share, after a 2.9 percent loss in the previous session. Gamma Intermediate reported Thursday that it had completed the placement of 16 million ordinary shares of Lottomaticam equal to 6.4 percent of the latter's share capital. The shares were sold at EUR9.50 each for a total value of EUR152 million. After the accelerated book building transaction, Gamma now holds 65.4 percent of Lottomatica's capital. In addition, the shareholder has agreed to a 90-day lock-up on its remaining shares in the company.

Industrie de Nora, among the few bearish, is leaving 0.9 percent on the parterre, following two sessions closed among the bullish.

On the SmallCap, boost on Restart, which marks a 5.2% green with new price at EUR0.2020. The stock - which has been missing the ex-dividend since 2007 - closed flat on eve.

Safilo - in the money by 3.4 percent - announced Thursday that it, along with Levi's, has renewed its global license agreement for Levi's-branded eyewear until the end of 2029.

Tessellis, on the other hand, gives up 2.1 percent, on the heels of Thursday's decline that closed with minus 5.2 percent.

Softlab, on the other hand, is giving up 1.7 percent, in its third bearish session.

Among SMEs, Caribbean Company is advancing 5.0 percent to EUR1.91 per share, after a 5.7 percent loss on the eve.

H-Farm, on the other hand, marks a 4.2% gain, after 4.4% green on eve.

Casta Diva Group--up 4.2%--on Thursday evening reported that Banca Finnat's Equity Research was published, in which the target price is rated at EUR2.18 per share.

In the red, clear minority of the list, Ambromobiliare is giving up 2.9% to EUR1.34 per share, after two sessions closed in the green.

In New York on European night, the Dow rallied 0.5 percent, the Nasdaq put up 1.4 percent, and the S&P 500 closed up 0.9 percent.

Among Asian exchanges, the Hang Seng marked a red 0.8 percent, the Nikkei picked up 1.4 percent, while the Shanghai Composite left 0.5 percent on the parterre.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0872 against USD1.0863 recorded at Thursday's European stock close, while the pound is worth USD1.2667 from USD1.2685 last night.

Brent crude is worth USD79.26 per barrel versus USD78.61 per barrel at Thursday's close. Gold, meanwhile, trades at USD2,027.29 an ounce from USD2,014.35 an ounce last night.

On Friday's macroeconomic calendar, ECB President Christine Lagarde will speak at 1100 CET.

In the afternoon, from the US, the five-year inflation forecast and the Michigan Confidence Index will come out at 1600 CET.

In Piazza Affari, the half-year results of I Grandi Viaggi are expected.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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