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Contrast closure for European stock exchanges
The European stock exchanges closed the day with mixed trends, in an atmosphere of expectation for the data on inflation in the United States, expected tomorrow, and for the meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) scheduled for Thursday. At Piazza Affari, the Ftse Mib fell by 0.1%, closing at 34,524 points. Among the stocks in evidence, Banco Bpm and MPS both gained 1.2%, while Brunello Cucinelli and Stm suffered losses of 1.3% and 2.3% respectively
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Focus on US inflation
The US inflation figure represents a crucial indicator for the markets, as it could influence the Federal Reserve’s decisions regarding interest rates. A possible negative surprise in the data could compromise expectations of a 25-basis point cut, currently discounted by the markets. Investors are therefore waiting for clear signals that can guide future monetary policies
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ECB meeting and economic projections
The last annual meeting of the ECB will take place on Thursday, during which a possible rate cut of 0.25% is expected. All eyes will be on President Christine Lagarde’s tone and on the updated economic projections, which could provide guidance on the future of the European economy. The stability of the bond markets is another aspect to monitor, with the Btp-Bund spread remaining in the 108 basis points area
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Commodity and Forex trends
In the commodities market, Brent oil fluctuated around 72 dollars per barrel, while gold was close to 2,670 dollars an ounce, influenced by recent geopolitical risks in the Middle East. On the currency front, the euro/dollar exchange rate fell to 1.05, while the dollar/yen registered an increase to 152. Cryptocurrencies, meanwhile, have seen Bitcoin slip to $95,000, reflecting market uncertainty
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News from the world of Formula 1 and artificial intelligence
In the sports field, Ferrari announced an important agreement with Andretti Formula Racing to provide power units and changes starting in 2026, provided that Andretti’s registration for the FIA Formula 1 Championship is approved. This agreement represents a significant step for both teams in the Formula 1 landscape. In addition, Italy asserts itself as a leader in the field of artificial intelligence with the IT4LIA AI Factory project, selected by the European Commission, which involves the creation of an advanced supercomputer at the Bologna Technopole, intended to strengthen strategic sectors such
as agri-food and cybersecurity.
Investments and infrastructure development
Lane, a subsidiary of Webuild, recently obtained a 152 million dollar contract to upgrade traffic on I-77 in South Carolina, supporting the development of Scout Motors’ new Volkswagen plant in Blythewood. This project represents an important growth opportunity for the local economy and a step forward towards a more modern and sustainable infrastructure.
