(Alliance News) - European stock markets are heading toward a positive opening at the start of the week. According to futures trends, Milan is expected to rise, in line with the constructive tone observed on other major continental indices, as investors continue to closely monitor evolving geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and high volatility in energy prices.
The international landscape remains dominated by the escalation of conflict in the region, with markets weighing reports that Washington is close to announcing an international coalition tasked with escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic hub for global oil traffic.
The evolution of the Middle East conflict could also influence monetary policy decisions by major central banks later this week. In the spotlight is the Federal Reserve meeting, with Chairman Jerome Powell leading one of the final meetings of his term.
Decisions are also expected from the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan, the Bank of England, and the Swiss National Bank.
On the corporate front, ahead of the opening, UniCredit announced on Monday the launch of a voluntary public exchange offer for Commerzbank AG shares. The goal is to exceed the 30% ownership threshold required by German acquisition regulations, though the bank clarified it has no expectation of acquiring control of the German lender. The operation also aims to foster constructive dialogue with Commerzbank and its key stakeholders in the coming weeks.
Gae Aulenti currently holds a direct stake of approximately 26% in Commerzbank, with an additional exposure of about 4% through total return swaps.
Consequently, the FTSE Mib - after closing down 0.3% at 44,316.92 on Friday evening - is currently marking a gain of 35.00 points.
Among other European indices, London's FTSE 100 is up 31.00 points, Paris's CAC 40 is up 6.00 points, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 is up 83.00 points.
Among smaller indices on Friday, the Mid-Cap lost 0.4% to 54,133.51, the Small-Cap fell 1.5% to 33,508.14, while Italy Growth retreated 0.3% to 8,359.27.
Returning to Milan, on Piazza Affari's blue-chip index, Eni performed best on Friday evening, finishing at the top with a 2.7% rise to EUR22.35, with nearly 17 million shares traded. The "six-legged dog" stock updated its 52-week high during the session.
Strength was also seen in Saipem, up 2.5%, and Enel, which rose 2.5%.
Leonardo closed up 0.3% at EUR64.08. Citigroup raised its target price on the stock to EUR69.00 from EUR60.00 with a 'neutral' rating.
Among other decliners, Brunello Cucinelli shed 2.4% to EUR70.34. The stock touched a 52-week low of EUR69.02 per share.
At the bottom of the main index sat Stellantis - bearish with a 4.4% drop - which is evaluating possible agreements with Chinese automakers that could invest in struggling European assets, allowing the group to focus more investment on the US.
According to sources cited by Bloomberg, executives met with Xiaomi and Xpeng to discuss options for reorganizing European activities, including the potential acquisition of stakes in Maserati or other brands. Also on the table is access to production capacity, as Chinese groups seek to strengthen their presence in Europe.
On the Mid-Cap, Avio took the top spot, appreciating 8.0% to EUR36.50 per share. On Thursday, it approved accounts showing a net profit of EUR11.6 million, up 82% from the previous year. Net revenues stood at EUR541.7 million, a 23% year-on-year increase.
Cembre - down 10% - announced on Friday that it closed 2025 with a profit of EUR46.6 million, up from EUR42.6 million as of December 31, 2024. The board of directors proposed a dividend distribution of EUR2.06 per share, up from EUR1.88 in 2024.
De' Longhi - up 0.5% - reported on Friday that it closed 2025 with a group net profit of EUR316.3 million, a 1.8% increase compared to the EUR310.7 million recorded in 2024. Adjusted net profit stood at EUR368.0 million, up from EUR333.3 million the previous year. The board will propose a dividend of EUR0.85 per share to the shareholders' meeting.
LU-VE closed up 0.4% after announcing on Friday that it ended 2025 with a net profit of EUR39.8 million, an 11% increase over the EUR35.8 million in 2024. Adjusted net profit reached EUR42.1 million, up 13%. The board will propose a gross dividend of EUR0.47 per share.
MARR - down 5.0% - announced on Friday that it closed 2025 with a consolidated net profit of EUR31.0 million, a 28% decrease from the EUR42.7 million recorded in 2024. The board will propose a gross dividend of EUR0.47 per share, down from the EUR0.60 distributed for the previous year. Total consolidated revenues stood at EUR2.13 billion, up 1.4% from EUR2.10 billion in 2024.
Reply rebounded by 6.2%, following a nearly 15% loss the previous day despite solid 2025 results.
Webuild shed 8.7%, closing at EUR2.476, even though 2025 results exceeded operational expectations and, according to analysts, show a solid foundation ahead of the new industrial plan to be presented in June.
Intermonte maintains a positive view on the stock, confirming an 'outperform' recommendation and a target price of EUR4.50, implying an upside potential of about 80% compared to the close. The investment bank believes the stock still presents attractive multiples.
According to Intermonte analysts, the strategy of reducing balance sheet risk pursued by the group in recent years, with greater exposure to low-risk regions and significant scale growth, has strengthened asset quality and cash generation capacity.
On the Small-Cap, Aquafil closed with an 8.0% gain. The company announced on Thursday that the 2025 financial year ended with a net loss of EUR4.7 million, compared to a loss of EUR16.3 million in 2024, a 71% improvement.
Emak - in the green by 7.2% - reported closing 2025 with a net profit of EUR14.2 million, up from EUR6.5 million as of December 31, 2024. The company proposed a dividend of EUR0.030 per share, up from EUR0.025 in 2024.
TXT e-solutions - up 7.7% - announced that the board approved 2025 results, closing with a net profit of EUR25.3 million, a 59% increase over the EUR15.9 million recorded in 2024.
At the bottom of the basket, Orsero retreated 11% to EUR16.64 per share, marking its third bearish session.
Among SMEs with the highest trading value, ICOP shed 2.6% while expert.ai advanced 1.0%.
Circle - up 3.8% - announced on Thursday that it closed 2025 with a production value of EUR25.1 million, up from EUR14.6 million as of December 31, 2024. EBITDA stood at EUR6.1 million, up from EUR3.0 million the previous year, with a margin of 24% compared to 21% in 2024.
At the bottom of the alternative list, Helyx Industries closed down nearly 14%, its third consecutive bearish candle, with a loss over the last five sessions of 21%.
In New York on Friday evening, the Dow shed 0.3%, the Nasdaq 0.9%, while the S&P 500 closed in the red by 0.6%.
In Asia, the Nikkei ended its run down 0.1%, the Hang Seng is gaining 1.5%, while the Shanghai Composite shed 0.3%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1432 from USD1.1441 on Friday, while the pound trades at USD1.3249 from USD1.3237 on Friday evening.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD105.65 per barrel from USD101.53 on Friday, while gold is worth USD5,007.30 an ounce from USD5,048.93 on Friday evening.
Monday's macroeconomic calendar includes the release of the Bundesbank monthly report in Germany at 1200 CET.
In the afternoon, attention shifts to the US. At 1415 CET, industrial production data will be released, while at 1630 CET, two US Treasury Bill auctions with three-month and six-month maturities are scheduled.
Among Piazza Affari companies, results are expected from Comer Industries, Dexelance, Garofalo Health Care, Tamburi Investment Partners, and nine other firms.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2026 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.
