(Alliance News) - European indices closed without a clear direction, with the MIB rising back above the 47,900 level after three bearish sessions, despite a deteriorating macro-financial backdrop.
Significant exogenous risks persist, particularly the escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which is fueling pressure on energy costs and supply chains.
In parallel, the latest macro data indicate a contraction in the Eurozone private sector in April, the sharpest since November 2024, with evident impacts on domestic demand and the services sector.
On the monetary policy front, the market is pricing in a wait-and-see stance from major central banks at their month-end meetings, reflecting a still fragile balance between inflationary dynamics and slowing growth.
Consequently, the FTSE Mib gained 0.3% to 47,907.41, the Mid-Cap closed flat at 58,056.25, the Small-Cap shed 0.4% to 35,495.06, while Italy Growth ended marginally lower at 8,840.21.
London's FTSE 100 concluded the session down 0.2%, Paris's CAC 40 gained 0.9%, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 retreated 0.2%.
On the MIB, among the decliners - a minority of the list - DiaSorin shed 4.2% to EUR59.98, following a 1.3% loss in the previous session.
Moncler also positioned itself at the back of the pack, falling 2.1% to EUR54.82, following yesterday evening's 2.7% depreciation which snapped a four-session winning streak.
Buzzi closed down 0.4% at EUR47.76 per share. JPMorgan analysts confirmed their 'overweight' rating on the stock with a target price of EUR58, maintaining a positive view in light of solid fundamentals and a valuation deemed attractive relative to the sector.
In the short term, attention is focused on the Q1 2026 update, for which the bank expects slightly negative like-for-like revenue dynamics. Based on recent contacts with the company, JPMorgan forecasts 'a 0.4% LFL sales decline to EUR974 million', reflecting volume pressures in several markets.
Eni advanced 1.2% to EUR23.21 per share. Notably, Kepler Cheuvreux raised its target price on the stock to EUR23.50 from EUR15.50 per share.
STMicroelectronics - leading the pack with a gain of over 14% - announced on Thursday that it closed the first quarter on March 28 with a net profit of USD37 million, down 34% from USD56 million in the same period of 2025. In the fourth quarter of 2025, STM had recorded a loss of USD30 million. Diluted earnings per share fell to USD0.04 compared to USD0.06 in the prior-year quarter.
Net revenues for the quarter amounted to USD3.10 billion, up 23% from USD2.52 billion in the same period last year but down compared to the final quarter of 2025.
Lottomatica gained 2.1% to EUR26.13 per share, continuing its regular buyback program. It recently announced the purchase of 150,024 treasury shares for a total consideration of EUR4.0 million.
On the mid-cap segment, Reply shed 4.1% following a 0.1% dip in the previous session, after the shareholders' meeting approved a new 18-month buyback program for up to 3.5 million ordinary shares and an amount not exceeding EUR550,000,000.
Comer Industries closed down 4.5% after a 5.6% gain in the previous session.
Strength was seen in BFF Bank, which closed 3.4% higher after a 3.1% drop in the previous session. According to rumors gathered Thursday by Milano Finanza, the institution led by CEO Giuseppe Sica is reportedly finalizing a major securitization of up to EUR1.0 billion to address findings raised by the Bank of Italy last March.
The operation, which has already drawn interest from specialized funds such as Christofferson, Robb & Company, aims to deconsolidate non-performing loans that emerged after the central bank's latest inspection. The package would include both the EUR300 million already planned and EUR800 million in new past-due amounts related to default interest.
Alerion, meanwhile, advanced over 12%. The company - with a free float of approximately 10% - has increased its market cap by over 33% since the start of 2026.
d'Amico advanced 2.2% to EUR7.65 per share, following a 3.7% contraction the previous day.
On the Small-Cap index, Aeffe shed 4.2% to EUR0.2040, after a 4.4% gain in the previous session.
Geox - down 0.7% - announced Wednesday that the shareholders' meeting, in addition to approving the financial statements as of December 31, 2025, and the new share buyback plan, resolved to appoint Francesco Di Giovanni as a board member. The appointment had occurred via co-option on July 23, 2025, and will be effective until the approval of the 2027 financial statements. Furthermore, the board confirmed him as the company's CEO.
CY4Gate advanced 2.5%, marking its fourth consecutive bullish session with the price around EUR8.26 per share.
Piquadro rose 3.1%, bringing the price to around EUR2.64 after a 0.4% decline the previous day.
Esprinet appreciated 0.3%, following a 1.0% gain the previous day, finishing at EUR5.92. On the MarketScreener platform - based on 4 analysts - the stock has an average target price of EUR6.77.
Among SMEs, Compagnia dei Caraibi surged over 10%, following an 8.1% loss in the previous session.
Energy Time closed up 7.4% at EUR5.35 per share, bringing its year-to-date gain to over 52%.
Gismondi 1754 - up 2.9% - announced Wednesday evening its Q1 results, reporting revenues of EUR4.6 million compared to EUR3.6 million in Q1 2025, thanks to investments in the US wholesale and Special sales sectors which led to a 28% increase.
Vantea SMART - down 3.8% - reported results for the year ended December 31, 2025, showing a profit of EUR262,000, a 47% decrease compared to EUR497,000 in 2024. Revenues stood at EUR10.9 million, a 7.2% reduction from the EUR11.7 million recorded in the previous twelve months.
Sicily by Car - flat at EUR3.05 - announced Wednesday evening its 2025 results, reporting a loss of EUR7.2 million compared to a profit of EUR2.9 million in 2024. Production value reached EUR165.1 million, up 15% from 2024's EUR144.0 million, driven by the development of the Italian market, which grew 9.1%, and international expansion.
In New York yesterday evening, the Dow moved slightly below parity, the Nasdaq advanced 0.2%, while the S&P 500 is advancing 0.1%.
On the currency front, the euro changed hands at USD1.1708 from USD1.1718 on Wednesday evening, while the pound traded at USD1.3501 from USD1.3504 yesterday evening.
Among commodities, Brent traded at USD103.19 per barrel from USD101.31 on Wednesday evening, while gold was valued at USD4,732.00 per ounce from USD4,732.59 yesterday evening.
On Friday's economic calendar, Japan's consumer price index will be available at 0130 CEST, followed by UK retail sales at 0800 CEST and the German Ifo business climate index at 1000 CEST.
At 1900 CEST, Baker Hughes data will be released from the US, while at 2130 CEST - as is customary on Fridays - the COT Report will be published.
Among companies, results are expected from BF, Convergenze, CSP International, Impianti, Next Re SIIQ, PPG Industries, and Sogefi.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter
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