(Alliance News) – Major European stock indices opened Monday's session in negative territory, following fresh tariff threats issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The proposal aims to exert political pressure on Denmark regarding the potential acquisition of Greenland, envisioning the imposition of additional punitive tariffs on European countries opposing the initiative.
According to released indications, involved NATO members could face an initial 10% tariff from February 1, with the possibility of an increase up to 25% starting in June, should a diplomatic agreement not be reached. The news triggered an immediate rise in risk aversion across continental equity markets.
On the political front, European leaders have initiated strategic consultations on countermeasures, including the possible reactivation of a tariff plan on U.S. goods already discussed for 2025. According to unofficial sources, French President Emmanuel Macron has also called for the activation of the EU's anti-coercion instrument, suggesting a potential escalation in transatlantic trade tensions.
In market terms, traders are monitoring potential impacts on trade flows, currency volatility, and portfolio reallocations towards defensive assets, while sectors most exposed to U.S. exports could face pressure on share prices.
The Mib is thus marking a loss of 1.3% at 45,216.81 points.
Across Europe, the CAC 40 is down 1.3%, the DAX 40 slips 1.1%, while the FTSE 100 is off by 0.1%.
Among secondary indices, the Mid-Cap is down 1.3% at 60,526.36, the Small-Cap is in the red by 0.9% at 37,506.78, and Italy Growth is contracting by 0.5% at 8,817.60.
On the Mib, Campari is retreating 3.8% to EUR5.62 per share. Notably, Deutsche Bank Research raised its target price on the stock to EUR6.3 from EUR6.2, confirming its "Hold" recommendation. Conversely, Bernstein cut its price target to EUR10.80 from EUR11, but maintained its "Outperform" rating.
STMicroelectronics is also down 3.3% at EUR23.51 per share, following Friday evening's 0.3% loss.
Azimut Group – down 1.1% – announced Monday the acquisition of a majority stake in Unifinance Group, a company with a strong presence in wealth management for the Ultra High Net Worth segment and significant penetration in the institutional client segment. The transaction aims to strengthen Azimut's presence in Brazil, consolidating the group's global strategy of expansion in strategic markets, while maintaining a strong focus on quality and long-term value creation.
Mediobanca is also retreating 3.4%, with the stock having lost 8.4% over the last five sessions. Notably, Barclays has lowered its price target to EUR17.10 from the previous EUR17.50.
Leonardo, on the other hand, is up 2.4%, buoyed by tensions boosting defense stocks. On Friday, the company announced that, through its subsidiary Leonardo US Corporation, it had signed an agreement to acquire Enterprise Electronics Corporation, a U.S. company specializing in the development, production, and maintenance of meteorological radar instruments and satellite reception stations for meteorology, hydrology, research, and aviation, both military and civil. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
On the secondary segment, Iren is down 0.4%, marking its fourth consecutive bearish candle.
Caltagirone is up 0.4%, after a 2.1% drop on Friday evening.
Sesa, meanwhile, shows a 2.7% decline, on track for its third straight bearish session if confirmed at the close.
Banca Generali is down 3.1%, bringing the price to around EUR56.55 per share.
On the Small Cap, IRCE is performing well, gaining 1.4% to EUR2.21, following Friday evening's 0.9% uptick. According to MarketScreener, the stock is rated by a single analyst with a target price of EUR3.40, suggesting it is undervalued by 55%.
Softlab is up 1.2%, after a 0.8% decline in the previous session.
Aedes is retreating 3.5% to EUR0.1645 per share. The stock – which has not paid a dividend since 2007 and has a market capitalization of around EUR5.5 million – is down about 6% over the last five sessions.
I Grandi Viaggi is down 2.9%, on the day its financial results are expected to be published.
Among SMEs, Laboratorio Farmaceutico Erfo stands out, up 4.3%, following a 0.7% gain on Friday evening.
Eprcomunicazione – still not traded and last priced at EUR1.37 – announced Friday that its subsidiary Justbit Srl had formalized a framework agreement with a leading group in the gaming sector, for a total annual amount of up to EUR1.1 million with no minimum guaranteed. The contract will last two years.
Saccheria F.lli Franceschetti – down 3.0% – reported Friday that in 2025 it achieved management revenues of EUR19.4 million, up 10% from EUR17.6 million as of December 31, 2024.
Deodato.Gallery is down 4.1%, after two sessions in which it gained around 12%.
In New York, markets will remain closed today for Martin Luther King Day.
In Asia, the Nikkei fell 0.7%, the Shanghai Composite closed up 0.3%, while the Hang Seng ended down 1.1%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1623 from USD1.1598 at Friday's European equities close, while the pound is trading at USD1.3401 from USD1.3391 Friday evening.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD63.44 per barrel from USD64.41 per barrel on Friday, while gold is valued at USD4,667.30 per ounce from USD4,599.53 per ounce Friday evening.
On Monday's economic calendar, at 1200 CET the German Buba report is expected, while from 1500 CET the French BTF auctions will take place.
At Piazza Affari, results from I Grandi Viaggi are expected.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News Reporter
Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2026 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.
