(Alliance News) - European stock markets moved without a single direction on Friday, not far from parity, with caution dominating sentiment in anticipation of a major U.S. labor market report that could solidify "bets" on fewer Federal Reserve interest rate cuts this year.

A senior U.S. Federal Reserve official said Thursday that the central bank should proceed cautiously before backing any future interest rate cuts, adding that he sees the December rate cut as the last step for the time being.

On Dec. 17 and 18, the Fed voted 11 to 1 in favor of lowering rates by a quarter percentage point, reducing the benchmark interest rate between 4.25 percent and 4.50 percent, despite a rise in inflation. Michelle Bowman said she supported the December cut but would be willing to revise her position. She added that the Fed should be cautious in considering changes to rates as it moves toward a more neutral policy.

Thus, the FTSE Mib is advancing 0.2 percent to 35,399.83 -- the best among Europeans -- and with a put/call ratio at 1.45.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is down 0.2 percent, while Paris' CAC 40 is advancing 0.3 percent as is Frankfurt's DAX 40.

Among the smaller lists, the Mid-Cap is floating just below par at 47,738.26, the Small-Cap is fractionally advancing at 28,552.43, while Italy Growth is marking minus 0.1 percent at 8,003.49.

On the highest-capitalization list in Piazza Affari, Leonardo confirmed the good form seen since the bell rang, rising 1.7 percent to EUR27.76 per share, upgrading during the session to a 52-week high at EUR28.00.

Strength also on Moncler, rising 1.6 percent on the heels of eve's 1.7 percent gain.

Stellantis -- in the green by 0.5 percent to EUR12.48 -- may be banking on an experienced profile to lead the group after Carlos Tavares' farewell, Il Corriere della Sera wrote Friday. Among the candidates is Mike Manley, former CEO of Fiat Chrysler and promoter of the relaunch of Jeep.

Prysmian's dual listing in New York is imminent, as Milano Finanza writes Friday. CEO Massimo Battaini confirmed in an interview that the group is considering a dual listing in the U.S., with the decision expected on Capital Market Day March 26-27. The second listing, after Milan, is expected to take a year to complete, the financial newspaper continued. n addition, Battaini pointed out that Trump's return to the White House could favor Prysmian, which generates 35 percent of revenues in the US. The stock is giving up 0.1 percent.

Iveco Group, meanwhile, gives up 3 percent, after four bullish sessions and with new price at EUR9.80 per share.

On the Mid-Cap, d'Amico instead advances 3.6 percent, after the 1.8 percent negative balance with which it closed Thursday night.

Salvatore Ferragamo also advances well, appreciating 2.5 percent to EUR6.96, continuing Thursday's gain of 1.7 percent.

Cementir Holding gives up 1.3 percent, after 0.6 percent red in the previous session, setting the price at EUR10.58.

Banca Generali -- on the losing side with 0.1 percent -- reported Thursday that in December it recorded net inflows of EUR980 million, up 18 percent, thus achieving "the best year-end close," the company points out. For the full year, total cumulative inflows amounted to EUR6.6 billion, up 14 percent year-on-year, exceeding the guidance of EUR6.5 billion.

On the Small-Cap, Digital Bros advances well, posting a plus 5.9% at EUR11.80 per share, rebounding after three bearish sessions.

Bestbe Holding advances double digits over 14% going into volatility auction with last price at EUR0.68. Thursday reported that 84,706 new shares with the same characteristics and rights as the shares already outstanding were issued to bondholder Tenet Securities Ltd, resulting from the conversion of a total of 10 convertible bonds.

BasicNet -- in the green by 0.8 percent -- reported Thursday that the Kappa brand and football club AS Monaco have unveiled an exclusive uniform, developed in collaboration with Parisian haute couture brand KOCHÉ.

Olidata, on the other hand, marks minus 0.5 percent, after two sessions ended with a bullish candle, with price in the EUR0.3155 area. On the MarketScreener platform, the rating of a single analyst is for a target price of EUR0.73, thus coming in largely under-priced. The stock - as reported by Borsa Italiana - has been missing the ex-dividend since 2004.

Among SMEs, Frendy Energy pushes the price ahead by more than 16 percent to EUR0.2840, taking the top spot in the segment.

Fly Haiki+, which pushes over 19% with new price at EUR0.95 per share, after spin-off from Innovatec, which remains flat at EUR0.28.

Giglio.com - in the green by 7.8% - announced the launch of a new line of business aimed at synergistically connecting its ecosystem of partners. Thus, it launched the Community Shopping project: a catalog of fashion apparel and accessories is made available to affiliated multi-brand stores, thanks to which, each partner will be able to serve the clientele of its physical boutique by drawing, in real time, from this digital catalog that has nearly 100,000 references per season.

Mare Group - in the green by 0.2 percent to EUR4.49 - on Thursday announced that it had reached total funding of EUR23.5 million, consisting of EUR15.5 million in equity, subscribed in the recent ABB transaction, and EUR8 million in new financing, which stems from contracts signed with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti for EUR5 million and with BPER Banca Spa for EUR3 million.

Portobello, on the other hand, is giving up 7.0%, in its fourth bearish session.

In New York, stock exchanges were closed yesterday for the memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0301 against USD1.0300 in Thursday's European stock close. In contrast, the pound is worth USD1.2294 from USD1.2306 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is worth USD78.87 per barrel from USD77.06 per barrel at Thursday's close. Gold trades at USD2,680.47 an ounce from USD2,684.59 an ounce last night.

Friday's macroeconomic calendar includes the private sector payrolls data from the US in the afternoon at 1430 CET.

The day will close at 1900 CET with the release of the Baker Hughes US drilling rigs report.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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