The current context of European stock exchanges
The European stock exchanges recorded a positive session, with the Ftse Mib in Piazza Affari closing 0.72% higher, reaching 36,112.84 points. Among the outstanding securities, Unicredit gained 2.5%, Snam 2.1% and Bper 2.4%. However, not all companies benefited from this trend, with Ferrari and Campari seeing a decline of 1.8% and 1.1% respectively. This positive trend was influenced by various factors, including investor expectations regarding global economic policies.
Trump’s statements and their implications
A focal point of the day was Donald Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The President of the United States has promised swift action to address public spending and announced his intention to impose tariffs on imports from China, the European Union, Mexico and Canada. These statements have raised concerns among investors, who fear possible repercussions on international business relations. In addition, Trump asked OPEC nations to lower oil prices to combat inflation, a crucial issue for the global economy
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Analysis of recent economic data
On
the macroeconomic front, data on claims for unemployment benefits in the United States showed an increase, with 223,000 new applications compared to the 220,000 expected. This increase has led continuous requests to reach three-year highs, with 1.9 million requests. In Europe, the eurozone consumer confidence index declined slightly, falling to -14.2 points compared to an estimated -14.1. These data highlight an uncertain economic environment, in which investors must navigate signs of growth and concerns about inflation
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Commodities and the currency market
In the commodities market, Brent oil showed some volatility, fluctuating around 79 dollars per barrel, pending data on US inventories. Gold, on the other hand, remains stable at around 2,750 dollars an ounce. In the currency market, the euro is trading at 1.04 against the dollar, while the dollar/yen stands at 156, pending the Bank of Japan meeting. These movements reflect global economic uncertainties and expectations regarding future monetary policies
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Future Prospects and Business Strategies
In an environment of economic uncertainty, some companies are looking to expand their operations. Lidl Italia announced the opening of 9 new stores, creating 160 jobs and investing more than 70 million euros. The goal is to reach 1,000 stores by 2030, exceeding the average growth rate of the main large organized retail companies. This expansion strategy could represent a positive sign for the labor market and for the Italian economy as a whole.