(Alliance News) – On Monday, the main European markets started the week on a weak and mixed note. The focus was on peace negotiations in Ukraine, which have created tensions between the EU and the US.
As for US monetary policy, there are only a few days left before the Federal Reserve is expected to announce a further 25 basis point cut in interest rates.
In Europe, however, the Eurozone economy remains in a phase of stagnation, according to data published on Monday by the Sentix indicator.
The index rose slightly by 1.2 points to minus 6.2 points. Values relating to the current situation and expectations continue to stabilize.
The Mib closed flat compared to the previous session at 43,432.82 points, the Mid-Cap fell 0.1% to 58,538.83, the Small-Cap index showed a decrease of 0.2% to 36,072.30, and the Italy Growth index ended the session slightly down at 8,492.08 points.
The CAC 40 in Paris fell 0.2%, the DAX 40 in Frankfurt gained 0.1%, and the FTSE 100 in London closed down 0.2%.
“Everything was going so well for the FTSE 100. The index had outperformed the S&P 500 in terms of annual percentage returns in price terms, but today’s weakness saw its lead evaporate,” commented Chris Beauchamp of IG.
“When valued in the same currency, the lead remains firmly intact, but even so, it’s a shame to see the FTSE 100 collapse at the final hurdle. Unilever was the culprit today, as Magnum was ousted from the broader group, and there are pockets of strength in the index that give hope for a rebound in due course,” the analyst concluded.
On the Milan Stock Exchange, banks led the gains with Monte dei Paschi di Siena up 4.4% and Mediobanca up 1.7%.
On Friday, the MPS board of directors renewed its confidence in Luigi Lovaglio, who is under investigation for the acquisition of Mediobanca by the Siena-based institution. Consob has not, at this time, proven the existence of relations between the CEO and certain shareholders aimed at controlling Mediobanca and Assicurazioni Generali, whose stock rose 0.2%.
On Friday, Fitch upgraded Banca Popolare di Sondrio’s rating to ‘BBB’ from BBB-‘. The stock advanced 1.2%.
The improved ratings of banks supported stocks, with BPM up 2.0% and BPER up 0.9%.
Tenaris fell 0.1%. The company announced a EUR77 million buyback.
Ferrari closed the day down 3.5% at EUR328.50 per share.
On the Mid-Cap, Fincatieri took the lead with purchases of 4.3% at EUR18.39 per share.
Aeroporto Guglielmo Marconi Di Bologna – up 0.8% – reported that passenger numbers reached 775,427 in November, an increase of 9.4% over the same month in 2024.
Alerion Clean Power – up 2.6% – signed a sale and purchase agreement with Estra for the sale of its entire stake in Eolica PM, a company that owns an operational wind farm located in the municipality of Pontelandolfo, with an installed capacity of 52 MW.
In the race for Riello, a historic boiler and burner manufacturer, in addition to Chinese suitors, there is also Ariston Holding, which is said to have a €500 million investment program ready. Ariston’s stock closed down 1.2%.
Intercos fell 5.6% to EUR10.74 per share.
On the Small-Cap, Softlab fell 0.4% after receiving assurances from Seri Industrial about a fast track in the future recruitment plan.
Ops eCom took a new step in its plan to expand the company’s business to express transport and logistics. The company signed a preliminary agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of KCT, a Galliate-based company operating in road freight transport. The stock fell 0.3%.
Borsa Italiana announced on Friday, before trading began, that Bestbe Holding shares are suspended from trading. The company reported the resignation of the entire board of directors following the resignations of directors Angelo Paletta and Emanuela Cipollari on November 21 and Carlo Casilli on November 26, who also left his operational duties.
As for governance, Matteo Lunelli is said to be in pole position for the presidency of Fiera Milano, Italy’s leading listed trade fair operator, 63.8% controlled by Fondazione Fiera Milano. Fiera Milano shares closed up 0.4%.
Fidia fell 5.7% to EUR0.1235 per share. There were good purchases of 3.9% on Abitare In.
Among SMEs, Confinvest announced that it had approved a EUR 1.0 million aucap reserved for Dierre. In addition, another capital increase of up to EUR 2.5 million was approved through the issue of ordinary shares without par value to be offered as an option to shareholders. The stock closed up 1.1%.
On the contrary, SolidWorld Group announced that, in light of current market conditions and following a comprehensive analysis of its strategic objectives and capital structure, it had decided not to proceed with the remaining part of the capital increase approved in November 2024, amounting to a total of EUR 5 million. The stock fell 4.6%.
Monnalisa, after opening down double digits, recovered its losses to end the session up 4.0%, while the newly listed RT&L saw purchases of 6.7% at EUR2.198 per share.
In New York, the Dow Jones fell 0.3%, the Nasdaq lost 0.2%, while the S&P 500 was down 0.4%.
On the currency front, the euro traded at USD 1.1623 from USD 1.1633 at Friday’s stock market close, while the pound traded at USD 1.3314 from USD 1.332 on Friday evening.
Among commodities, Brent crude traded at USD 62.92 per barrel from USD 63.74 per barrel at Friday evening’s close, while gold was worth USD 4,194.76 per ounce from USD 4,216.67 per ounce on Friday evening.
On Tuesday’s economic calendar, at 0800 CET, German export and import data will be released, while at 1200 CET, the optimism of US small businesses will be assessed.
US employment data will be released at 1415 CET, while a speech by BoE members is expected at 1515 CET.
No significant announcements are expected on the Italian stock market.
By Michele Cirulli, Alliance News Reporter
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