(Alliance News) - Major European stock markets opened the session higher Thursday, as futures predicted, on the day the United Kingdom goes to the polls to elect a new parliament. Polls indicate a significant victory for the center-left Labour Party and Keir Starmer, who should then become Britain's next prime minister.

Also, in a few minutes, construction PMI data in major European countries will be released.

Thus, the FTSE Mib opens in the green 0.7 percent to 34,093.08, the Mid-Cap advances 0.4 percent to 47,744.26, the Small-Cap rises 0.5 percent to 29,249.72, while Italy Growth is in the green 0.2 percent to 8,085.40.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 is up 0.6 percent as is London's FTSE100 while Frankfurt's DAX 40 is in the green by 0.3 percent.

Among the morning's macro data, the German Federal Statistical Office reported that factory orders unexpectedly fell 1.6 percent month-on-month in Germany in May, accelerating from the previous month's 0.6 percent contraction.

Back in Milan, on the Mib, DiaSorin does better than all and rises 1.7 percent, on par with BPER Banca.

Unipol - in the green by 0.7 percent - informed Consob that it has signed a share swap contract that has 4.77 percent of BPER's capital as its underlying. The insurance company thus rises to 24.62 percent of the Emilian bank. In essence it is a derivative with a long position to February 2028 that will reward Unipol should the Emilian bank's shares appreciate.

Boost also on Leonardo, which after closing bullish by 3.8 percent advances 1.3 percent. The company announced Wednesday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rheinmetall to create a new 50-50 joint venture aimed at developing a European-wide industrial and technological approach in the field of defense systems

land.

On the cadet list, Salvatore Ferragamo takes the top spot with a rise of 3.5 percent followed by Juventus FC rising 2.4 percent and Mondadori Editoriale, in the green by 1.8 percent.

On the other side of the list, Maire gives up 1.5 percent and Ascopiave is in the red by 1.3 percent.

Webuild - in the red by 0.1% - reported that between June 24 and June 28 it bought 35,000 of its own shares, at an average price of EUR2.0340 and for a total value of EUR71,190.00.

On the Small-Cap, Banca Profilo is up 1.4 percent after commenting Wednesday evening on rumors published by some press outlets regarding the sale of Arepo BP Spa's stake held in Banca Profilo's share capital.

Arepo BP, the bank's controlling shareholder and parent company of the Banca Profilo group, confirmed that "exclusive negotiations are currently underway, the outcome of which will be promptly communicated to the market when all conditions are met," the statement said.

Among SMEs, Circle opens with a theoretical rise of 3.6 percent after announcing Thursday that it has entered into an agreement with a Mediterranean port for the use of Port Community Services offered by the group.

The value of the contract is more than EUR700,000 and will run for about 18 months, expandable up to an additional EUR1.0 million for a total value of EUR1.7 million and a period of up to 24 months.

SolidWorld Group - in the green by 1.2 percent - announced Thursday that Dubai-based subsidiary SolidWorld Middle East DMCC has secured a EUR800,000 order to supply two 3D design and 3D printing systems in industrial and textile environments for a major UAE government agency scheduled for October

Edil San Felice opens in the green by 2.7 percent after closing up 7.8 percent. The company on Wednesday announced that it was awarded a EUR145.1 million contract in RTI with SACS Srl, Operazione Srl and CMO Srl. Edil San Felice's share is EUR13.6 million.

Eles - up 1.3 percent - announced Wednesday that it has received, from a major defense sector client, an order for two simulation class rooms for control rooms.

Star Workshop - up 0.5 percent - announced Wednesday that it has been awarded a new contract with the European Space Agency to build a complete optical ground station, for Lasercom applications, for the European Space Operations Center ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany. The 24-month contract has a total value of approximately EUR3.5 million

In Asia, the Nikkei closed in fractional green, the Hang Seng is picking up 0.2 percent, and the Shanghai Composite closed 0.8 percent in the red.

In New York-where markets will be closed for Independence Day-the Dow closed in the red by 0.1 percent, the S&P gained 0.5 percent, and the Nasdaq closed in the green by 0.9 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0790 from USD1.0800 on Wednesday in European equities closing while the pound was worth USD1.2743 from USD1.2662 on Wednesday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is trading at USD86.71 per barrel from USD86.22 per barrel at yesterday's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD2,353.94 an ounce from USD2,360.80 on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday's macroeconomic calendar, coming up at 0930 CEST is Italy's construction PMI, as well as from France, Germany and the Eurozone.

At 1330 CEST, the ECB will release the minutes of its latest monetary policy meeting while at 2230 CEST it will be the turn of the Federal Reserve's weekly balance sheet.

On the corporate calendar, no events are scheduled.

By Chiara Bruschi, Alliance News reporter

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