(Alliance News) - European stock markets are set to open lower on Monday, marking the first trading day of the final month of the year. This comes after a volatile November, as investors await fresh market catalysts.

Upcoming US economic data and developments related to the Federal Reserve reshuffle are expected to take center stage, with markets now anticipating an interest rate cut by the Fed at its December meeting.

Investors are also closely monitoring progress on a possible peace deal for Ukraine, as US special envoy Steve Witkoff visits Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin and other Kremlin officials. The visit follows Ukraine's approval, in principle, of a 19-point plan backed by the US--a revised version of a previous 28-point proposal considered favorable to Russia.

As a result, the FTSE Mib--after closing up 0.3% at 43,357.01 on Friday evening--was showing a loss of 240.00 points.

Among the secondary indices on Friday, the Mid-Cap fell 0.4% to 58,524.31, the Small-Cap slipped 0.6% to 35,832.54, while Italy Growth registered a gain of 0.9% to 8,438.98.

Across Europe, London's FTSE 100 was down 17.00 points, Paris's CAC 40 retreated by 42.00 points, and Frankfurt's DAX lost 115.00 points.

On the Mib, Stellantis outperformed on Friday, closing up 2.0%. "The French automaker is undergoing a major restructuring, focusing on the US and enhancing its alliance with China's Leapmotor, while Italy is increasingly being positioned for the production of compact cars," writes Alliance News columnist Francesco Bonazzi.

"The White House's directive to bring industrial production for the US back from Mexico and Canada has mainly impacted the auto sector. Stellantis has decided to return production of brands such as Jeep to the US, but the Canadian government is threatening legal action."

Brunello Cucinelli ended up 1.8%. JPMorgan raised its target price to EUR130.00 from EUR125.00, maintaining an 'overweight' rating.

Completing the podium was Moncler, up 1.6%. Leonardo also rose 1.6%. On Thursday, the company unveiled Michelangelo Dome, its new advanced integrated defense system designed to counter emerging threats in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Eni closed up 1.3%. Through its subsidiary Azule Energy--a 50% joint venture with bp and operator of the New Gas Consortium--the company inaugurated the NGC gas processing plant in Soyo, northern Angola, on Thursday.

Among the decliners, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena dropped 2.1%, landing at the bottom of the index. On Thursday, the company announced it had received notification from the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office of a search warrant.

The company stated in a note that CEO Luigi Lovaglio had been served a notice of investigation, and that the alleged offenses cited in the document relate to obstruction of supervisory functions and market manipulation.

Telecom Italia and Buzzi also fell, down 1.8% and 1.1%, respectively.

Among the midcaps, Fincantieri--down 1.5%--announced Friday that, through its Underwater Technology Hub, it will supply the Navy with a supply vessel designed for maximum versatility, including underwater operations.

Ascopiave slipped 0.8%. On Wednesday, the company announced it had signed a preliminary sale agreement to acquire 100% of Società Impianti Metano, a gas distribution company wholly owned by Sime Partecipazioni.

The base price agreed for the transaction is EUR46 million, reflecting the company's valuation as of December 31, 2024, and is subject to adjustment after closing, as is standard practice. The deal is conditional on the successful completion of the Golden Power procedure.

MFE-MediaForEurope's new international expansion, following its entry into Germany's ProSiebenSat.1, has led to its arrival in Portugal with the acquisition of a 32.9% stake in Impresa SGPS, a group controlled by the Balsemão family. MFE A shares fell 0.61%, while B shares rose 0.5%.

On the Small-Cap index, Borgosesia climbed 1.4% after announcing Friday the issuance of a new structured bond for up to EUR50 million.

Brioschi Sviluppo Immobiliare--down 0.3%--reported Wednesday that its subsidiary Milanofiori Sviluppo had accepted sale offers from several institutional professional investors for all 73,769 shares still held in the Fleurs Fund.

This is a closed-end Italian real estate investment fund--reserved real estate FIA--which in August 2022 had purchased the U1 and U3 buildings from Milanofiori Sviluppo. The total sale price is EUR13.1 million.

Among SMEs, Reway Group rose 2.4% after announcing Friday that it closed the first nine months with production value up year-on-year to EUR201.2 million from EUR145.2 million.

Mare Group fell 0.5%. The company will not proceed with the delisting of Eles Semiconductor Equipment following the conclusion of the takeover bid. Eles shares closed up 0.4%.

Lindbergh slipped 1.0%. On Thursday, the company announced it had completed the acquisition of Alpiclima di Giuseppe Camaglio & C.

The transaction, carried out through its subsidiary SMIT, involved the purchase of 100% of Alpiclima di Giuseppe Camaglio & C.

In addition to the EUR200,000 already paid upon signing the preliminary agreement, a further EUR1.1 million was paid in cash.

Ubaldi Costruzioni closed flat at EUR4.30 per share. On Thursday, the company reported that its order backlog as of September 30 stood at EUR182.4 million.

The order book comprises 56 active contracts, mainly located in central Italy.

In New York on Friday, the Dow closed up 0.6%, the Nasdaq rose 0.7%, and the S&P 500 ended 0.5% higher.

In Asia, the Hang Seng was up 0.5%, the Shanghai Composite gained 0.7%, while the Nikkei closed down 1.9%.

On the currency front, the euro was trading at USD1.1604 from USD1.1597 at Friday's equity close, while the pound was at USD1.3220 from USD1.3248 on Friday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude was trading at USD63.56 a barrel from USD63.00 at Friday's close, while gold was at USD4,233.32 an ounce from USD4,240.90 an ounce on Friday evening.

Monday's calendar includes the release of manufacturing PMI data for Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Eurozone, and the UK between 0915 CET and 1030 CET.

The same data is expected at 1545 CET in the US. At 1600 CET, the US ISM manufacturing index is due.

No significant announcements are expected from companies listed on Piazza Affari.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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