European markets in the red but MPS and Mediobanca perform well on the Mib

(Alliance News) - On Wednesday, trading began with a downward trend across major European markets, as attention remains focused on the Middle East during the second week of the conflict between Israel, the USA, and Iran.

The White House announced it has destroyed 16 of Tehran's mine-laying vessels, while President Donald Trump did not rule out that the war could be resolved in the short term. Consequently, the prices of gold and oil fell sharply, erasing gains from previous days.

The Mib opened down 1.0% at 44,761.59 points, the Mid-Cap is trading in the red by 0.5% at 56,142.30, the Small-Cap is bearish by 0.2% at 34,663.63, and Italy Growth is down 0.1% at 8,462.34.

Other markets also showed negative signs: the CAC 40 by 0.9%, the DAX 40 by 1.5%, and the FTSE 100 by 1.0%.

At Piazza Affari, the boards of directors of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena - up 2.0% - and Mediobanca - up 3.4% - approved the merger project involving the incorporation of Mediobanca into MPS. The merger is consistent with MPS's 2026-2030 industrial plan and is expected to generate synergies of approximately EUR700 million, with the goal of increasing shareholder value.

Mediobanca shareholders will receive 2.45 MPS shares for every Mediobanca share. The new shares will be listed on Piazza Affari.

Also on the banking front, France's Crédit Agricole expressed its support for the confirmation of Banco BPM's leadership - up 0.2% - despite not participating in the outgoing board's list because "an excellent job has been done," remarked the CEO of Crédit Agricole Italia, Hugues Brasseur.

Regarding governance, Matteo Del Fante could once again lead Poste Italiane, down 0.7%, for a fourth consecutive term.

Stellantis - down 0.9% - returns to the market with a massive EUR5 billion perpetual hybrid bond issuance, structured in three tranches across euros and pounds. The operation saw record demand exceeding EUR19 billion, allowing the group to reduce expected yields.

Saipem, recording sales of 0.1%, approved its 2025 financial statements, confirming the preliminary data released at the end of February. The company confirmed revenues of EUR15.50 billion, an Ebitda of EUR1.72 billion, an operating profit of EUR679 million, and a net profit of EUR310 million.

Leonardo, contracting by 1.7%, signed a new EUR600 million ESG-linked term loan credit line with a pool of international and national banks. The financing has a five-year duration, with a two-year grace period and repayment in constant installments starting from the third year, with a final maturity in 2031.

The new line is intended to refinance debt maturing and repaid in January 2026.

On the Mid-Cap, MFE-MediaForEurope NV announced that, following the investment agreement concluded with Impresa – Sociedade Gestora de Participações Sociais - and Impreger – Sociedade Gestora de Participações Sociais SA -, it has subscribed to newly issued Impresa shares, representing 33% of the share capital. MFE A and MFE B are trading down 0.9%.

Ferretti, with daily sales of 0.1%, announced that Ferretti International Holding purchased 188,768 ordinary shares of the company. The shares were acquired at an average unit price of EUR3.6462, for a total value of EUR688,285.88.

Strong buying on Carel Industries, up 4.7% at EUR23.50 per share: the company recorded a net result of EUR73.6 million, an 18% increase compared to 2024. The board also proposed a dividend of EUR0.195 per share, up from EUR0.165 last year.

Ascopiave falls 3.5% to EUR3.73 per share.

On the Small-Cap, OPS Retail takes the lead with gains of 23% after receiving a binding expression of interest from the real estate company REMI to enter the company's capital through a reserved capital increase.

IGD SIIQ, with sales of 0.6%, announced that the shopping centers in its Italian portfolio recorded excellent operational performance, also benefiting from the positive impact of seasonal sales.

Specifically, in January, gallery operator turnover recorded a 7.1% increase compared to January 2025, with footfall growing by 7.4%.

Elica announced the sale to Whirlpool of India of its remaining 1.6% stake in the Indian company Elica PB Whirlpool Kitchen Appliances Private Ltd, along with other minority Indian shareholders, who sold an additional 1.6% stake. The stock is down 1.6%.

CY4gate, up 2.7%, signed a three-year contract with a total value of approximately EUR8.0 million with a major foreign institutional client for the supply of advanced technological solutions in the field of Decision Intelligence.

Aeffe falls 6.1% to EUR0.2320 per share.

Among SMEs, the board of directors of Confivest - up 2.9% - resolved to propose to the shareholders' meeting the distribution of an ordinary dividend of EUR0.034 per share, for a total value of approximately EUR300,000.

Helyx Industries, flat at EUR0.712 - announced that the right of withdrawal from the contract for specialist operator activities with MIT SIM has been exercised. It will be replaced by Integrae SIM.

Alkemia enters Circle with 138,600 shares for over EUR1 million, and the stock is racing ahead by 4.4%.

RT&L - flat at EUR3.975 per share - approved its results as of December 31, 2025, reporting a net result of EUR300,000 and EUR1.0 million on a pro-forma basis compared to the pro-forma value of EUR300,000 as of December 31, 2024.

In Asia, the Nikkei closed up 1.5% at 55,066 points, the Shanghai Composite ended trading up 0.3% at 4,133.43, and the Hang Seng traded in the red by 0.2% at 25,898.76.

In New York, the Dow Jones was bearish by 0.1% at 47,706.51, the S&P 500 showed a contraction of 0.2% at 6,781.48, while the Nasdaq concluded trading in fractional green at 22,697.10.

On the currency front, the euro is changing hands at USD1.1613 from USD1.1643 on Tuesday, while the pound trades at USD1.3426 from USD1.3452 yesterday evening.

Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD89.49 per barrel from USD89.10 per barrel on Tuesday, while gold is worth USD5,183.14 per ounce from USD5,223.43 per ounce yesterday evening.

Wednesday's macroeconomic calendar includes the OPEC monthly report at 1100 CET.

In Italy, a 12-month BOT auction is scheduled for 1100 CET.

In the USA, the mortgage market report will arrive at 1200 CET, followed by inflation data at 1330 CET. At 1800 CET, a 10-year Treasury Note auction will be held.

Among Piazza Affari companies, results are expected from Assicurazioni Generali, BasicNet, BPER Banca, Cementir Holding, ERG, Esprinet, Geox, Leonardo, Salvatore Ferragamo, SYS-DAT, Telecom Italia, and Tesmec.

By Michele Cirulli, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to [e-mail]

Copyright 2026 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.