(Alliance News) - European equity markets are set for a higher opening on Friday, bolstered by optimism that the ceasefire between the US and Iran may hold and potentially lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The prospect of improved shipping conditions has strengthened risk sentiment across global markets and eased concerns regarding inflation and further rate hikes.

Investors are now focused on diplomatic talks in Islamabad this weekend, where Vice President JD Vance will lead a US delegation in discussions with Iranian officials. However, caution remained due to ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon and persistent navigation restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, which could complicate negotiations.

Consequently, the FTSE MIB - after closing up 0.5% at 47,327.99 yesterday evening - is showing a gain of 45.00 points in the futures market.

Among the smaller indices on Thursday, the Mid-Cap lost 0.3% to 56,573.55, the Small-Cap fell 0.6% to 33,759.85, while Italy Growth advanced 0.6% to 8,582.36.

London's FTSE 100 is up 9.80 points, Paris's CAC 40 is up 28.50 points, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 is marking a gain of 110.00 points.

Returning to Milan, yesterday evening on Piazza Affari's large-cap index, Eni outperformed all others, finishing at the top with a 4.0% rise to EUR24.43, with over 15 million shares traded, following a 5.6% decline the previous day.

On the "six-legged dog" stock, RBC continues coverage with a "sector perform" rating and raised its target price to EUR28.00 from EUR24.00, incorporating an earnings update based on a scenario of higher commodity prices in the medium term.

Strong buying for Leonardo, which rose 3.1% following Wednesday's 0.7% gain. The battle for Leonardo's new governance is being played out on several fronts, with appointments at the center of attention.

Among the names being considered is Lorenzo Mariani, CEO of MBDA, while Gian Piero Cutillo, managing director of Leonardo's helicopter division, also remains on the table, seen as close to Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.

The merger between Saipem and Subsea7, which will create the giant Saipem7 with revenues of EUR21 billion, appears to be moving swiftly toward approval. According to a report by Barclays, the Brazilian Antitrust Authority's concerns are less rigid than expected. Saipem's stock recorded a 1.6% rise.

Hera - up 1.0% - is doubling its geothermal plant in Ferrara with an investment of EUR50 million. The project, supported by the PNRR, aims to bring thermal power to 32 MW by August 2026.

Buying on Lottomatica, which finished in the green by 1.0% at EUR26.62, after touching a new 52-week high of EUR26.68 during trading.

Among the laggards, DiaSorin finished unchanged at EUR60.64 per share. UBS initiated a cautious review of the stock, downgrading its recommendation to "neutral" from "buy" and cutting the target price to EUR66.00 from EUR84.00, in light of a risk/reward profile deemed less attractive in the short term, despite still solid structural fundamentals.

At the bottom of the main index sat Recordati, down 2.0%.

On the Mid-Cap, Comer Industries performed well, closing in the green by 5.3%, following the previous day's buying.

Banca Generali - down 2.4% - announced on Thursday that it closed the month of March with net inflows of EUR725 million, more than double the EUR360 million in March 2025, recording a 101% year-on-year growth.

This figure brings the year-to-date total to EUR1.89 billion, a 28% increase compared to EUR1.48 billion in the same period of 2025, marking the best start to a year in the bank's history.

A slight decline for Webuild - down 0.2% - which announced on Wednesday that Lane, Webuild's US subsidiary, was awarded the USD582 million "Moving I-4 Forward - Project 2" contract for the design and construction of a key section of the broader Interstate-4 modernization program, helping to boost connectivity in Florida.

At the bottom of the mid-cap index, Technoprobe finished down 3.7%, following Wednesday's double-digit rise.

On the Small-Cap, strength for Gas Plus, which gained 1.7% with EUR1.2 million in buying.

Among the stocks at the tail end of the basket with the highest trading volumes, FILA shed 0.7% while doValue dropped 1.8%.

EPH - up 1.1% - announced on Thursday that it had signed a definitive settlement agreement with Negma and Global Growth Holding Limited, aimed at the complete resolution of relationships arising from previous investment agreements.

Strength for Bastogi, which closed up 1.2% at EUR1.285. During the session, the stock touched a 52-week high of EUR1.335 per share.

Among SMEs, strong buying for ICOP, which gained 3.7% to EUR25.00 per share.

Among the stocks with the highest trading volumes, Lemon Sistemi advanced 6.5%, while among the stocks at the bottom of the alternative list, Redelfi dropped 3.8%.

FAE Technology - up 5.3% - announced on Thursday that its subsidiary Kayser Italia signed an agreement with Orbital Paradigm, a company specializing in the development of space transport solutions.

Franchetti - flat at EUR6,05 - announced on Thursday the strengthening of its positioning in Brazil through the signing for the acquisition of a majority stake in the ECR group, which, according to a note, "is in continuity with the development path already initiated by the group in the country."

Sicily by Car - up 1.3% - announced on Thursday the start of operations, as of April 10, of the new rental office at Valencia's Manises airport, Spain's eighth-largest airport by traffic volume and the second in the Valencian Community after Alicante-Elche.

In New York, during the European evening, the Dow gained 0.6%, the Nasdaq advanced 0.8%, while the S&P 500 marked a 0.6% rise.

In Asia, the Nikkei closed up 1.8%, the Hang Seng is advancing 0.7%, while the Shanghai Composite is marking a gain of 0.8%.

On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1685 from USD1.1699 yesterday evening, while the pound is trading at USD1.3417 from USD1.3433 yesterday evening.

Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD96.62 per barrel from USD97.26 per barrel yesterday evening, while gold is worth USD4,753.75 per ounce from USD4,792.00 per ounce yesterday evening.

Friday's macroeconomic calendar features Italian industrial production at 1000 CEST.

At midday, at 1200 CEST, a speech by the ECB's Luis de Guindos is scheduled.

In the afternoon, at 1430 CEST, the US will publish the consumer price index, followed at 1600 CEST by factory orders.

The day concludes at 1900 CEST with the US rig count data released by Baker Hughes.

Among Piazza Affari companies, results are expected from Destination Italia, Growens, and Indel B.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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