Piazza Affari is positive at the end of the morning like other European stock exchanges despite the government crisis in France that was perhaps now taken for granted.

Rather, optimism about the health of the U.S. economy prevails among investors, reinforced yesterday by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's words that pushed U.S. indexes to new all-time highs. Wall Street futures are little moved today.

In Milan, around 12:30 p.m., the Ftse Mib rose 0.9 percent with volumes above 900 million.

Among the top stocks:.

The rise in the index is mainly supported by the good pitch of banks (+1.7% on average). UniCredit rises 2.5%, its possible prey Banco Bpm 0.85%. UniCredit has until March to consider a possible improved Ops on Banco, Orcel said yesterday. Intermonte expects, among others, the addition of a cash component.

Highlights include +3.8% for Stellantis, which recovers heavy losses following the exit of CEO Carlos Tavares, which was surprisingly announced last Sunday.

Tim also rises more than 3% after Deutsche Bank, in an industry study, forecast growing investor satisfaction in tlc in 2025. The broker restarted coverage of Tim with 'hold'.

Purchases, also today, on Mfe (+2%) again on speculation of moves on the investee ProSiebensat.1

Realizations hit Campari, Mps and Prysmian.

(Claudia Cristoferi, editing Sabina Suzzi)