Bullish Futures; Mib Rebounds from 46,500 Mark

(Alliance News) - European stock markets are set for a higher open on Thursday as investors await another round of corporate earnings.

Earnings prospects in Europe have shown resilience despite fourth-quarter challenges, with major indices still in positive territory year-to-date.

Stronger-than-expected US employment data has reduced the likelihood of a near-term rate cut by the Federal Reserve, introducing a degree of caution in global markets. Investors are now looking to Friday's US inflation data for further monetary policy signals.

The Mib, after closing down 0.6% at 46,510.83 points last night, is now advancing by 195.00 points.

Among the minor indices last night, the Mid-Cap lost 1.0% to 60,506.54, the Small-Cap fell 1.5% to 36,453.08, and the Italy Growth was down 0.2% at 8,718.32 points.

Other European markets are also trading higher, with the CAC 40 up 118.80 points, the DAX 40 up 103.60 points, and the FTSE 100 gaining 60.00 points.

Last night in Milan, Fincantieri and Generative Bionics signed a four-year agreement to develop a humanoid welding robot for shipyards. The stock slipped 0.6%.

Libya has granted several foreign companies new licenses for oil exploration and production for the first time in 17 years, following over a decade of political instability. Eni shares, which hit a 52-week high, closed up 1.8%.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, which announced the resignation of Stefano Di Stefano, a non-independent director and member of the risk and sustainability committee, recently under investigation for insider trading, fell 3.2% to EUR8.505 per share.

After plunging 25% on Friday, February 6, and a modest rebound on Monday, Stellantis attempted to recover: the stock closed up 1.3%, despite a double downgrade from Moody's and S&P.

In the banking sector, Andrea Orcel, like Carlo Messina, is ready to stay at the helm. "It will be up to shareholders to decide if I remain CEO, but I am very enthusiastic," said UniCredit's CEO – with sales down 2.6% – to Bloomberg TV, confirming his willingness for a new term after 2030.

Intesa Sanpaolo – down 2.6% – placed a dual-tranche Additional Tier 1 perpetual bond on the institutional market for a total of EUR1.25 billion. According to the company, this marks the bank's lowest-ever Reset Spread on an Additional Tier 1 issue, as explained in a statement.

Fineco closed the basket with a 9.1% drop to EUR20.11 per share alongside Banca Mediolanum, which fell 9.6% to EUR17.77, while Italgas and Ferrari posted positive performances of 3.6% and 4.0%, respectively.

On the Mid-Cap, Banco di Desio e della Brianza – down 2.9% – closed 2025 with a net profit of EUR127.3 million, a slight increase of 0.3% compared to the previous year. The board also proposed a dividend of EUR0.5105 per share.

Operating margin stood at EUR241.4 million, supported by growth in net fees and partially offset by a decline in net interest income due to market rate dynamics.

Intesa Sanpaolo maintains a 'buy' recommendation on Banca Ifis with a target price of EUR25.50, unchanged from previous guidance. Banca Ifis closed the year with a profit of EUR328 million, with the stock down 6.9%.

Banca Generali – down 7.6% – closed fiscal 2025 with consolidated net profit rising to EUR445.8 million from EUR431.2 million, a 3.4% year-on-year increase. The board will propose to the shareholders' meeting a dividend of EUR2.90 per share, totaling EUR338.9 million, corresponding to a 76% payout of consolidated profit.

Among small caps, Banca Profilo closed fiscal 2025 with consolidated net profit of EUR10.0 million, up 7.7% from EUR9.3 million in 2024. In the fourth quarter alone, net profit was EUR600,000. The stock ended down 1.4% at EUR0.171 per share.

Antares Vision – down 0.2% – approved the 2026 budget and updated its stand-alone industrial plan. The company expects 2025 revenues of around EUR204 million, adjusted EBITDA margin of about 16%, and a PFN/adjusted EBITDA ratio of roughly 2.4 times.

doValue fell 9.6% to EUR2.192 per share, while Bastogi topped the chart with a 12% gain to EUR1.135 per share.

On Italy Growth, TraWell Co – up 0.9% – renewed its concession for providing baggage wrapping services at Miami International Airport.

Tecno – with no trades – signed, through its subsidiary Tecno ESG, an amendment to both the share purchase agreement for Energika signed on July 10, 2024, and the option agreement concerning minority shareholders' stakes in Energika's share capital signed on July 12, 2024.

Ubaldi Costruzioni – up 0.2% – announced to the market the update of its order book and commercial pipeline as of December 31, 2025, which stood at around EUR212.8 million. The order book includes 54 active contracts, mainly in Central Italy.

eVISO – up 0.5% – closed the first half of the 2025-2026 fiscal year with revenues of EUR155.8 million, down 8% from EUR169.7 million in the same period the previous year, affected by lower energy commodity prices.

EdiliziAcrobatica – up 0.2% – maintains a strong position in the sector despite a business slowdown reflecting the industry's overall trend. Intesa Sanpaolo has therefore set a target price of EUR7.8 with a 'buy' recommendation, confirming its view from last October.

In New York – during the European evening – the Dow closed down 0.1%, the Nasdaq slipped 0.2%, while the S&P 500 ended flat.

In Asia, the Nikkei closed just below flat, the Hang Seng lost 0.9%, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.1%.

In currency markets, the euro is trading at USD1.1867 from USD1.1873 at Wednesday's European stock close, while the pound trades at USD1.3624 from USD1.3648 last night.

Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD69.58 per barrel from USD69.98 per barrel last night, while gold is valued at USD5,058.56 an ounce from USD5,073.13 an ounce on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday's calendar, at 1000 CET, the IEA monthly report is due in the US.

At 1110 CET, the Italian 3- and 7-year BPT auction is scheduled.

At 1430 CET, US continuing jobless claims are expected, and at 2230 CET, the Fed's balance sheet.

In Milan, results are expected from AbitareIn, BasicNet, Cementir Holding, Elica, First Capital, Gefran, Iveco Group, and Svas Biosana.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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