(Alliance News) – On Friday, futures are pointing to a lackluster start for European markets, with attention now firmly fixed on the prospects for peace between Russia and Ukraine and the monetary policy stance of the US Federal Reserve, which is set to announce its likely quarter-point interest rate cut on December 10.
Today, the Mib is expected to open up 0.1% or 50 points, the CAC 40 is seen rising 0.2% or 12.9 points, the DAX 40 is forecast to climb 0.1% or 14 points, while the FTSE 100 is predicted to gain 0.3% or 25.1 points.
Yesterday, the Mib edged up 0.2% to 43,219.87 points, the Mid-Cap advanced 0.1% to 58,305.05, the Small-Cap closed 0.4% higher at 36,611.00, while Italy Growth ended up 0.4% at 8,361.71.
On Thursday, the CAC 40 ended just above parity, as did the FTSE 100, while the DAX 40 gained 0.2%.
At Piazza Affari, among blue chips, Campari closed up 3.2% at EUR5.81, rebounding from a 1.1% loss in the previous session and topping the leaderboard.
UniCredit Bank Austria, a UniCredit subsidiary, and PGGM have completed a EUR1.95 billion risk-sharing transaction related to a portfolio of corporate and SME loans, which will allow the bank to increase its lending. The deal, dubbed “Project ARTS Belvedere 2025,” marks UniCredit Bank Austria’s return as an issuer in the significant risk transfer (SRT) market and, according to the company, “further strengthens UniCredit’s position as one of the most active and innovative SRT players in Europe.” Shares in Piazza Gae Aulenti closed up 0.5%.
Poste Italiane gained 0.2%. The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (51% stake) and Poste Italiane (49%) are reportedly close to acquiring PagoPa, the MEF-controlled company that manages several digital services and platforms, including the IO app. According to Bloomberg, the company is valued at EUR500 million: EUR400 million will be paid at acquisition, with the remainder to be paid over time.
Eni – down 0.4% – announced Thursday that its subsidiary Plenitude has begun construction of the “Tarsia Ovest” wind farm in the municipality of Tarsia, in Italy’s Cosenza province, with a total capacity of about 13 MW. Once operational, the park is expected to generate around 30 GWh/year.
At the bottom of the leaderboard were Banca Monte dei Paschi and Mediobanca, down 4.6% and 1.9% respectively. Corriere della Sera reported Thursday that entrepreneur Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, Luxottica and Delfin holding chairman Francesco Milleri, and Monte dei Paschi di Siena CEO Luigi Lovaglio are under investigation by the Milan prosecutor’s office for alleged market manipulation and obstruction of supervisory authorities. Prosecutors allege they coordinated the EUR13.5 billion OPS, which achieved 62% acceptance on the stock market.
Through this operation, between January and October of this year, MPS – in which the state was the main shareholder – acquired control of Mediobanca, the largest shareholder in Generali with a 13.2% stake. Generali already counts significant holdings linked to Caltagirone and Delfin.
On the mid-cap segment, Avio closed up 4.4%, snapping a streak of eight consecutive negative sessions.
Among the many gainers, Ariston Holding also had a strong session, rising 4.0% after two bearish sessions.
Ascopiave – up 0.5% – announced Wednesday it has signed a preliminary agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of Società Impianti Metano, a gas distribution company wholly owned by Sime Partecipazioni. The agreed base price is EUR46 million, reflecting the company’s value as of December 31, 2024, subject to adjustment at closing as per standard practice.
Salvatore Ferragamo closed up 0.8% at EUR7.76 per share. Notably, UBS raised its price target on the stock to EUR8.00 from EUR6.00 with a ‘buy’ rating.
On the Small-Cap index, Somec closed up 5.9% at EUR14.40, after two consecutive losing sessions.
Digital Bros also saw buying, ending up 6.5% at EUR13.36 per share after losing 2.8% on Wednesday evening.
Brioschi Sviluppo Immobiliare – up 0.3% – announced Wednesday that its subsidiary Milanofiori Sviluppo has accepted offers from several institutional professional investors to sell all 73,769 units it still held in the Fleurs Fund.
This is the closed-end Italian real estate investment fund (FIA immobiliare riservato) that, in August 2022, acquired the U1 and U3 buildings from Milanofiori Sviluppo.
Fidia, meanwhile, fell 6.6%, marking its third straight losing session.
Among SMEs, Adventure surged 8.4%, following an 8.9% gain at Wednesday’s close.
ESI – up 3.7% – announced Thursday the signing of four new contracts for the revamping of four photovoltaic plants in the Puglia region, totaling around 4 MWp.
The project, worth nearly EUR1.8 million, involves revamping and upgrading existing sections already eligible for incentives, aiming to improve performance and increase overall sustainability. The work is expected to be completed by the first half of 2026.
Edil San Felice – up 3.0% – announced Thursday it has won a new contract from ANAS worth EUR20 million, bringing total orders acquired in 2025 to over EUR98 million.
Cyberoo – down 0.7% – announced Thursday the signing of its first two contracts in Spain, both in collaboration with local partner Technology 2 Client, marking a significant step in the group’s international expansion. Entry into the Iberian market responds to growing demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions and high-value-added MDR services.
It is worth noting that US markets remained closed for Thanksgiving Day.
In Asia, the Nikkei slipped 0.1% to 50,132.00, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% to 3,888.60, while the Hang Seng traded down 0.2% at 25,913.00.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1584 from USD1.1600 at Thursday’s equity close, while the pound is at USD1.3218 from USD1.3247 last night.
In commodities, Brent crude is at USD62.87 a barrel from USD63.28 at Thursday’s close, while gold stands at USD4,182.60 an ounce from USD4,154.60 an ounce last night.
On Friday’s economic calendar, German unemployment data will be released at 0955 CET. Italy’s GDP will be available at 1000 CET.
At 1100 CET, Italian inflation data will also be released.
In the evening, at 2230 CET, the US Federal Reserve’s weekly balance sheet will be published.
On the corporate calendar, results are expected from Eems, Gentili Mosconi, and Reway Group.
By Michele Cirulli, Alliance News Reporter
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