Mib Falls to 44,300; Awaiting Trump's Speech at Davos

(Alliance News) - The Mib index lost ground, slipping below the 44,300-point mark in Wednesday's trading, notching its fourth consecutive session of decline and nearing three-week lows.

The index reflects a cautious sentiment across the sector, as concerns persist over a potential trade conflict between Europe and the USA, and geopolitical tensions related to Greenland continue to weigh on the markets. Traders are keeping a close eye on the imminent address by President Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, seeking signals on upcoming policy moves.

The blue-chip index thus posted a decline of 0.8% to 44,357.20 points.

Among the secondary indices, the Mid-Cap dropped 0.1% to 60,113.16, the Small-Cap slipped 0.3% to 37,118.99, and the Italy Growth index fell 0.3% to 8,739.64.

The CAC 40—alone in positive territory—rose fractionally, the DAX was down 0.5%, while the FTSE 100 also moved below parity.

On the Mib at Piazza Affari, Generali fell 1.3% to EUR33.78 per share. Notably, Goldman Sachs raised its target price to EUR36.30 from EUR34.40 per share.

Banco BPM—down 1.8%—has called a meeting for February 23 to ratify the new bylaws, updated to incorporate the Capital Law. The change allows for up to six out of 15 board members to be nominated by minority lists, doubling the current quota. The explanatory report must be filed within 21 days of the meeting.

This step prepares for the April 16 meeting, which will renew the board of directors and approve the 2025 financial statements, and is part of ongoing discussions with Crédit Agricole, the reference shareholder which has increased its stake to 29.9% with ECB approval, though the ECB has requested limiting board representation to a maximum of seven members.

Prysmian slipped 0.7% to EUR93.42 per share, with Barclays raising its price target to EUR112.00 from EUR102.00.

DiaSorin advanced 1.6% to EUR76.62 per share, after a 1.5% decline in the previous session.

Among the gainers was Tenaris, up 2.5%, poised for its third consecutive bullish session if gains hold at the close.

On the Mid-Cap segment, Credito Emiliano retreated 3.1% to EUR14.90, following a 1.3% drop in the previous session.

Danieli & C also fell 2.0%, after a 1.4% decline in the prior session.

Ferretti showed strength, rising 3.2% to EUR3.82 per share, ranking among the top performers on the list.

Pharmanutra advanced 4.5% to EUR66.80, with the company up approximately 23% since the start of the year.

MAIRE—up 0.6%—announced Wednesday its entry into the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market. Subsidiary Tecnimont signed a preliminary agreement with Argent LNG to participate in the development of an LNG export complex in Port Fourchon, Louisiana, a strategic US energy hub.

The deal marks Tecnimont's entry into the LNG export segment, considered one of the main growth drivers for Maire's Integrated Engineering & Construction business unit.

Webuild—up 0.5%—reported Wednesday that subsidiary Lane, in a 50-50 joint venture with Superior Construction, has signed contracts worth USD643 million for the construction of the Westshore Interchange, the largest infrastructure project for the Florida Department of Transportation in the Tampa Bay area.

Pirelli, meanwhile, rose 0.2%. Camfin is ready not to renew the shareholder agreement with Sinochem, expiring at the end of May, a move set to redefine Pirelli's governance and strengthen Marco Tronchetti Provera's leadership.

According to sources close to the government, the decision will be formalized by the end of January, as part of the technical discussions at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, initiated under the Golden Power procedure due to the presence of the Chinese shareholder, which holds 34%.

ERG—up 2.2%—announced Tuesday a geographic repositioning in line with its industrial plan, strengthening its presence in the UK and exiting Sweden. In the UK, the group, through ERG UK Holding, has acquired 100% of a portfolio of seven onshore wind farms in northern England from OnPath Energy Midco Limited, with a total capacity of 73 MW.

On the Small-Cap, Zucchi was down 5.6% to EUR0.67, marking its third consecutive bearish session.

OPS eCom—down 5.2%—announced that on November 28, the second tranche of the convertible bond issued last November 26, 2025, and fully subscribed by Global Capital Investments, was converted. The conversion involved 50 bonds for a total nominal value of EUR500,000.00.

B&C Speakers—up 0.3%—reported that for the 2025 financial year, based on available preliminary data not yet audited, consolidated revenues will amount to EUR99.00 million, down 1.0% from EUR100 million in the previous year.

Zest, meanwhile, rose 2.5% to EUR0.1430, notching its third consecutive bullish candle.

Among SMEs, Esautomotion showed strength, with its price up 4.5% after three bearish sessions.

Frendy Energy advanced 9.9%, after a 3.5% decline in the previous session. The stock—which has not paid a dividend since 2016—has increased its market cap by about 17% since the start of the year.

Adventure, on the other hand, fell 7.6% to EUR22.00 per share, after a flat session the previous day.

Ambromobiliare also retreated 4.0%, closing the list with a price around EUR0.72.

In New York during European evening hours, the Dow Jones fell 1.8%, the Nasdaq closed down 2.4%, while the S&P500 retreated 2.1%.

On the currency front, the euro changed hands at USD1.1707 from USD1.1734 at Tuesday's close in European equity markets, while the pound traded at USD1.3404 from USD1.3463 on Tuesday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude traded at USD64.31 per barrel from USD64.77 per barrel on Tuesday, while gold was valued at USD4,865.01 per ounce from USD4,738.47 per ounce the previous evening.

On Wednesday's economic calendar, the US mortgage report is due from 1300 CET, while President Donald Trump's address is scheduled for 1430 CET.

Central banks are in the spotlight at 1515 CET in the UK with the Bank of England's deputy governor; at 1930 CET, the president of the Bundesbank is scheduled to speak.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News Reporter

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