Perspectives prevail over objective data. Confidence, especially if it comes from the United States, prevails over the Italian GDP data, which returns to the levels of 2000 and which had brought Piazza Affari into negative territory for more than half a day. Then the about-face: shortly after 16 pm, the Ftse Mib gained almost 1% to border on 19 thousand points, in the wake of the good opening of Wall Street, which in turn benefited from the excellent data on consumer confidence.
The data is provided by the University of Michigan which notes how US consumer confidence in November rose unexpectedly, reaching its seven-year high. The index should settle at 89,4 points compared to 86,9 in the previous month (86,4 the preliminary data), resulting decidedly better than the consensus, which was 87,5 points. The indicator, which reaches levels not seen since July 2007, was published by the University of Michigan which released its preliminary reading today.
Leading the redemption of Piazza Affari are mainly two stocks, which gained more than 8% in the afternoon, both in the wake of their respective quarterly reports which thrilled investors: Unipolsai, whose net profit rose by almost 20%, Autogrill, which through the Wdf accounts, revenues increased to 1,77 billion. Saipem, Salvatore Ferragamo and Finmeccanica are also doing well, with earnings above 3%, while some banks (especially Mediolanum) and Luxottica are suffering.
