(Alliance News) - European stock markets on Thursday moved into negative territory, with only London in the green, as investors prepare for the Bank of England's latest monetary policy decision. Markets are divided on whether the BoE will begin easing policy at this meeting, due to lingering concerns about service sector inflation and wage growth.

Last night, the U.S. Federal Reserve said it was ready to cut rates in September if inflation continues to cool, while the Bank of Japan raised its benchmark rate to 0.25 percent, the highest since 2008.

The FTSE Mib, thus, is marking a 1.2 percent loss at 33,376.24.

In Europe, Paris' CAC 40 is giving up 0.8 percent, London's FTSE100 is advancing 0.2 percent, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is in the red by 0.5 percent.

Among the smaller lists, the Mid-Cap is in the red 0.6 percent to 46,977.34, the Small-Cap is in the red 0.2 percent to 28,903.05, and Italy Growth is in the green 0.3 percent to 8,066.03.

On the Mib, among the few bullish performers is Mediobanca, which is up 1.8% to EUR15.25 per share. The board of directors approved operating and consolidated results as of June 30, reporting net income of EUR1.27 billion, up 24 percent year-on-year. The group closes fiscal year 2023-2024-the first under the new plan-with record revenues of EUR3.6 billion, up 9 percent.

Nexi, on the other hand, is picking up 1.8 percent, after numbers saw normalized group profit rise 3.4 percent to EUR300.6 million from EUR290.6 million in the same half of the previous year.

Prysmian's board of directors -- down 3.7 percent -- approved the group's consolidated results for the first half of the year, closing with net income at EUR410 million, up from EUR413 million in the first half of 2023. Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent company was EUR402 million, up from EUR405 million in the same period last year.

Amplifon, on the other hand, gives up 2.2 percent, following eve's 4.4 percent profit. The healthcare company reported net income on a recurring basis of EUR90.3 million, up from EUR89.3 million in the first half of 2023. Reported net income is EUR87.8 million, up from EUR81.4 million reported in the first half of 2023.

On the cadet segment, strength on Mondadori after the accounts. The company reported Wednesday that it achieved adjusted net income of EUR9.0 million in the first half of the year from EUR8.5 million in the first half of 2023. Revenues amounted to EUR387.2 million from EUR362.4 million in the same period of 2023.

Good buying also on Digital Value, which is up 1.6 percent, in its third bullish session. Consolidated revenues amounted to EUR450 million in the first half of the year, up EUR34.5 million from the result as of June 30, 2023.

Maire, on the other hand, is giving up 2.3 percent with price at EUR10.45 per share, following the 4.2 percent decline in the eve. The company nearly doubled its first-half profit to EUR97.0 million, up from EUR54.0 million in the same period a year earlier.

On the SmallCap, Newlat Food is advancing 2.5 percent, following 0.8 percent red on eve.

SIT, on the other hand, is advancing 1.8 percent, after the eve's contraction closed with minus 5.7 percent.

Fidia, on the other hand, is giving up 4.6 percent, in its third session with a bearish candle.

The board of Banca Sistema -- down 3.2% -- on Wednesday approved the consolidated financial statements as of June 30, reporting a net profit of EUR6.0 million, compared to EUR7.5 million for the same period in 2023. Net interest income, down year-on-year by EUR14.8 million or 41 percent, was affected by growth in interest expenses due to rate hikes made by the ECB during 2023 and higher funding.

Among SMEs, expert.ai pushes ahead by 5.8 percent, in its third bullish session.

Edil San Felice, on the other hand, advances 2.7 percent, with new price at EUR4.25 per share, on its second bullish session.

At the tail end,, Altea Green Power is giving up 3.2%, on its fourth bullish session.

In New York on European night, the Dow advanced 0.2 percent, the Nasdaq rallied 2.6 percent, and the S&P 500 closed up 1.6 percent.

Among Asian marketplaces, the Hang Seng posted a red 0.1 percent, the Shanghai Composite gave up 0.2 percent, while the Nikkei slipped 2.5 percent.

Among currencies, the euro changed hands at USD1.0805 versus USD1.0826 on Wednesday's European stock close while the pound was worth USD1.2798 from USD1.2843 on Wednesday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is trading at USD81.67 per barrel from USD80.60 per barrel at yesterday's close. Gold, on the other hand, trades at USD2,443.31 an ounce from USD2,422.11 an ounce last night.

Thursday's macroeconomic calendar includes Italy's manufacturing purchasing managers' index at 0945 CEST, which will also be released for France at 0950 CEST, Germany at 0955 CEST, and in the UK at 1030 CEST.

At 1000 CEST, Istat will also release the monthly unemployment rate, and the Eurozone manufacturing PMI index and the monthly ECB report are expected at the same time.

Eurozone unemployment will be released at 1100 CEST, and at 1300 CET the Bank of England's decision on interest rates is expected.

In the afternoon, initial unemployment claims and nonfarm productivity data will arrive from the US at 1430 CEST while the ISM manufacturing index is expected at 1600 CEST.

At 1800 CEST, car registrations in Italy are expected.

In Piazza Affari, the half-year results of several listed companies are expected, including Ariston Holding, Azimut Holding, Banca Mediolanum, Ferrari, Pirelli, and Salvatore Ferragamo.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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