Weak start in Piazza Affari, in tune with the below par opening of other European stock markets weighed down by industrial stocks, particularly those related to defense and aerospace, and technology.

Uncertainty about the political outlook in France ahead of the first round of elections Sunday prevails on markets in general, in a week that sees Friday's data on the U.S. core Pce index, one of the measures of inflation most closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, at the top of the macro agenda.

Around 9:45 a.m., the Ftse Mib gives up 0.2 percent.

At the bottom of the blue chip list, Leonardo is down 2.7 percent on the back of sales across the European sector -- down more than 4 percent -- hit by French Airbus' cut of industrial and financial targets.

The chip-related technology sector also suffers on the back of losses overnight on Wall Street yesterday by giant Nvidia. In Milan, Stm loses 2.7 percent.

Still among industrials Fincantieri loses more than 8 percent on the second day of the capital increase.

Supporting the main index in Piazza Affari are oil companies with Saipem at +2.9% and Eni at +1.6%.

Little movement in banking after a strong performance on the eve.

(Andrea Mandalà, editing Claudia Cristoferi)