(Alliance News) - After the previous session's sell-off, major European stock exchanges opened trading in positive territory, with the exception of London's FTSE 100.
In the background, war in Iran has now spread to large parts of the region, with investors' attention shifting to the next moves by the USA, which today struck around 2,000 targets in Tehran.
The Mib is up 0.1% at 44,512.66, as is the Mid-Cap at 56,332.43, while the Small-Cap slips 0.2% to 35,645.56 and Italy Growth gains 0.1% at 8,408.01 points.
The CAC 40 is up 0.1%, the DAX 40 by 0.3%, while the FTSE 100 falls 0.2%.
On Piazza Affari, Italgas – down 0.4% – approved consolidated results as of December 31, 2025, reporting a 46% increase in revenues to EUR2.35 billion compared to EUR1.74 billion registered in 2024. This comprises regulated gas distribution revenues of EUR2.33 billion and other revenues of EUR205.6 million. The company will pay a dividend of EUR0.432 per share, up over 13% from EUR0.406 the previous year.
FinecoBank – down 0.2% – presented its industrial plan for 2026/2029, "to build a new cycle," as CEO Alessandro Foti stated.
The company expects revenue growth driven by all business areas, with net interest income "expected to grow thanks to increased deposit gathering," investing with "solid annual growth in managed assets," brokerage "with record revenues," and banking with "stable commissions."
MPS is down, falling 4.5%, with Lovaglio reportedly close to being excluded from the lists, according to press rumors. Alternatives include Fabrizio Palermo and Carlo Vivaldi, while chairman Nicola Maione is likely to be confirmed.
The context is not rosy. The president of the Italian Banking Association, Antonio Patuelli, sounded the alarm: the outlook for banks is less favorable than in recent years, which were supported by rising rates.
At the bottom of the basket are Mediobanca, down 5.1%, and Banco BPM, down 1.6%, along with Intesa Sanpaolo and BPER Banca.
Still on the governance front, outgoing John Elkann has been proposed for reappointment at Stellantis, which is now up 1.1% at EUR6.2640 per share.
Leonardo is up 2.7% at EUR59.54 per share, with Lottomatica posting a strong performance at the top of the list, up 4.5% at EUR22.08 per share.
On the Mid-Cap, the voluntary partial takeover bid launched by KKCG Maritime for Ferretti starts on March 16 and closes April 13, with Ferretti down 1.1% on the day.
The holding company of billionaire Karel Komárek aims to increase its stake from 14.5% to 29.9% of the capital, without crossing the threshold that would trigger a mandatory full takeover bid.
The closing of Ariston Holding's acquisition of Riello – up 8.3% at EUR4.30 per share – will take place by the end of the first half of the current year, according to CEO Maurizio Brusadelli.
PharmaNutra, which has signed a new distribution agreement for France and Switzerland with French multinational PiLeJe, a leader in the nutraceutical market, is up 0.6%.
Avio is rewarded with a 2.8% gain, while MARR closes the basket with a 3.3% drop to EUR8.51 per share.
On the Small-Cap, OPS Italia has resolved to file with the Milan Court for access to a crisis and insolvency regulation instrument, with a simultaneous request for protective measures. The stock drops 3.1%.
Plenitude, through its subsidiary Plenitude On The Road, has signed a strategic partnership with Pininfarina – up 4.8% – aimed at transforming the design of areas hosting its electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Tesmec, which has launched the new Re.M – Remote Monitoring App, completely redesigned to ensure real-time visibility, faster decisions, and a smoother user experience thanks to a modern interface, is down 1.4%.
The Italian Sea Group, on which Leonardo Del Vecchio has opened a dossier as he looks to invest in Italian manufacturing excellence, is up 5.3% at EUR1.978 per share.
Among SMEs, Mare Engineering Group has acquired 100% of EMM System, after purchasing the remaining 49% of EasyGo. The stock is flat at EUR3.30 per share.
The EBidCo takeover bid for Eles at EUR3.20 per share has concluded. At the end of the acceptance period, Banca Akros, as the appointed intermediary, announced that 4.2 million ordinary shares of Eles, about 28% of the shares subject to the offer, approximately 21% of the share capital and 20% of the voting rights, were tendered. Eles is down 0.3%.
Ecomembrane, up 2.6%, as part of a corporate reorganization of its subsidiary SBS Solar, has signed with minority shareholder Luigi Spedini an extension of the put&call contract dated March 1, 2024, between the company and Luigi Spedini, up to a maximum optioned stake of 25% of SBS Solar's share capital.
Eprcomunicazione – with no trades – has signed a contract with a major national labor confederation for event organization services, production of institutional materials, and creative support. The 11-month assignment is worth EUR144,000.
In New York, the Dow lost 0.8% to 48,501.27, the Nasdaq fell 1.0% to 22,516.99, while the S&P 500 shed 0.9% to 6,816.63 points.
In Asia, the Nikkei closed down 3.7% at 54,196.00, the Hang Seng slipped 2.0% to 25,249.48, and the Shanghai Composite fell 1.0% to 4,082.47 points.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1600 from USD1.1602 at Tuesday's close in European equities, while the pound is trading at USD1.3344 from USD1.3326 last night.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD84.17 per barrel from USD82.42 per barrel on Tuesday night, while gold is worth USD5,180.22 per ounce from USD5,112.86 per ounce the previous day.
As for the macroeconomic calendar, at 1030 CET it's time for the UK's PMI.
At 1100 CET, Italy releases its Gross Domestic Product while the Eurozone publishes unemployment rates and producer prices.
In the afternoon, at 1300 CET, the US will release the MBA 30-year mortgage rate and mortgage applications.
At 1430 CET, a speech by the ECB's Luis de Guindos is scheduled.
At 1545 CET, US services and composite PMIs are expected.
The day wraps up at 1630 CET with the release of US crude oil inventories and EIA weekly refined product stocks.
Among Piazza Affari companies, earnings are expected from Amplifon, Banca Generali, Campari, Intercos, MAIRE, Masi Agricola, Nexi, and Snam.
By Michele Cirulli, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2026 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.
