European Markets Mixed, Mib in the Green with TIM

(Alliance News) - On Wednesday, European markets closed mixed, on a day when the issue of Greenland and President Donald Trump's expansionist ambitions entered the public debate during a meeting between the USA and Denmark.

The FTSE Mib ended up 0.3% at 45,647.40 points, the Mid-Cap gained 0.9% to 61,220.71, the Small-Cap rose 0.9% to 37,98199.28, and Italy Growth was bullish by 0.3% at 8,847.33.

The CAC 40, on the other hand, fell 0.2%, the DAX 40 dropped 0.4%, while London's FTSE 100 closed up 0.3%.

On Piazza Affari, Intesa Sanpaolo – down 0.3% at EUR5.973 – announced that the group's IMI Corporate & Investment Banking division participated in a refinancing for Equitix, one of Europe's leading infrastructure investors.

Additionally, the bank and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti announced Wednesday that they have signed a new EUR1 billion agreement to support access to credit and expansion into markets for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, while also boosting the real economy and development in the territories where they operate.

UniCredit, down 0.1%, and the European Investment Fund, part of the EIB group, signed a new InvestEU guarantee agreement to significantly increase support for small and medium-sized enterprises across Central and Eastern Europe.

The agreement was announced at the FT CEE Forum in Vienna. The new EUR445 million guarantee expands and extends the unlimited InvestEU guarantee package launched in 2023, making it one of the largest InvestEU transactions by the EIF.

Stellantis, up 1.1%, attempted a rebound after losing 12% over the past month and 27% over the past year. Meanwhile, news arrived today that, for the sixth consecutive year, Toyota remains the world leader in hybrids and electrics, despite a regulatory uncertainty that is slowing down the entire sector.

Eni, during a hearing in the Chamber of Deputies, outlined the direction of its investments, moving away from Greenland and reaffirming its commitment in Norway, which alone issued 76 licenses in 2025. The stock rose 1.8%.

Hera, up 2.3%, clarified it is in negotiations to acquire a significant part of the Sostelia group.

The business plan for TIM, leading with a 4.7% gain, is expected in mid-March after board approval and will mark the industrial integration with Poste Italiane, which fell 0.5%. Following the conversion, Poste Italiane's stake will drop from 27.32% to about 19.6% of TIM's capital. Initial estimates point to potential synergies between EUR1 and EUR1.2 billion.

Strong buying for Prysmian, up 3.5%.

On the Mid-Cap, Webuild announced that the group, leading the Metro C Consortium along with Vianini Lavori, will build the new T1 section of Rome's Metro Line C, connecting Clodio/Mazzini to Farnesina.

The project, worth a total of EUR776 million, of which EUR268 million is for Webuild, represents a strategic step for strengthening the public transport system in the city's northern quadrant. The stock was up 2.0%.

Banca Ifis – up 5.2% – completed the placement of a Tier 2 subordinated bond targeted at institutional investors.

The bond has a ten-year term, maturing in April 2036, with a coupon of 4.546% and is callable after 5 years. The issued amount is EUR400 million.

Iren – up 2.4% – reported that, through its subsidiary Iren Mercato, it signed a Power Purchase Agreement with Alpiq for the supply of wind-generated electricity produced in Italy.

Ferretti fell 4.3% to EUR3.472 per share.

On the Small-Cap, the Italian government – according to a document seen by Reuters – has given the green light to Chinese private equity fund FountainVest to acquire a controlling stake in EuroGroup Laminations, up 3.5%, paving the way for the group's delisting from Piazza Affari by the first half of 2026.

Banca Sistema – up 2.6% – reported full compliance with consolidated capital requirements. From March 31, Banca Sistema must maintain a CET1 ratio of 10.10%, a Tier 1 of 11.60%, and a Total Capital Ratio of 13.60%.

OPS eCom signed a binding expression of interest with Paolo Cesareo, founder and owner of the Call Agent technology platform.

The agreement provides for the contribution in kind of the platform in exchange for the issuance of new company shares, for a total value of EUR2.2 million. The stock fell 0.9%.

Among SMEs, Haiki+ – up 4.9% – was awarded around EUR2.8 million in grants from the Lombardy Region under the 'Ri.Circo.Lo. Step' program, for two innovative projects for the recovery of indium and rare earths from LCD panels.

Franchetti – up 3.5% – announced the appointment of Ashley Langford as Country Manager for North America, with direct responsibility for business development and operational consolidation in Canada and the USA.

RedFish LongTerm Capital reported an update on its stake in PureLabs Spa following the final outcome of PureLabs' capital increase operation.

The company explained that the capital increase for PureLabs, initially resolved for a total of EUR15 million, was significantly oversubscribed, with total subscriptions exceeding EUR21 million. The stock closed up 1.5%.

In New York, the Dow Jones dropped 0.4%, while the S&P 500 fell 0.8%, and the Nasdaq lost 1.3%.

On the currency front, the euro traded at USD1.1656 from USD1.1638 at Tuesday's European equity close, while the pound traded at USD1.3449 from USD1.3429 last night.

Among commodities, Brent traded at USD65.83 per barrel from USD65.80 per barrel at Tuesday's European equity close, while gold was valued at USD4,619.19 an ounce from USD4,595.58 an ounce last night.

On Thursday's economic calendar, at 0800 CET, UK Gross Domestic Product is due, as well as the wholesale price index in Germany.

At 0845 CET, France's consumer price index will be released, followed by Spain's at 0900 CET. Italy's industrial production data is expected at 1000 CET, while at 1200 CET, the country's trade balance report will be published.

At 1430 CET, focus will shift to US jobless claims.

Among Piazza Affari companies, Fope will release results.

By Michele Cirulli, Alliance News Reporter

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