The FTSE MIB Index Closes 1.97% Higher

The FTSE MIB Index gained 992 points or 1.97 percent on Friday to close at 51497 points. Gains were led by Buzzi Unicem (5.67%), Mediobanca (4.38%) and Unipol Gruppo (4.33%).

The FTSE MIB rose 2% to close at a record 51,497 on Friday, as banks and insurers extended their rally amid speculation over a potential bidding war for Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Hopes that a deal for Monte Paschi could reignite broader mergers and acquisitions activity and accelerate sector consolidation boosted sentiment across Italy’s financial sector. Among the top performers, Mediobanca gained 4.6% and Monte Paschi added 3.9%, while peers UniCredit (+4.1%) and Intesa Sanpaolo (+4.3%) also advanced. STMicroelectronics climbed 4.5%, extending gains after BofA upgraded the stock from “neutral” to “buy” on Wednesday. Sentiment was further supported by reports that US President Donald Trump said a US-Iran deal is nearing completion and that planned strikes against Iran had been canceled. Oil prices declined on expectations of renewed supply flows, weighing on Eni, which fell 2.2%.

The FTSE MIB rose more than 1% to around 51,300 on Friday, setting a fresh record high, as banks and insurers extended their rally this week amid speculation over a potential bidding war for Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena. This lifted sentiment across Italy’s financial sector, as a prospective deal for Monte Paschi could reignite broader mergers and acquisitions activity and reinforce expectations of sector consolidation, while unlocking valuation upside. Among the top performers, Mediobanca and Monte Paschi gained more than 3%. Other gainers included UniCredit (+2.2%), Intesa Sanpaolo (+2.7%), Assicurazioni Generali (+1.2%), Banco BPM (+1.5%), BPER Banca (+1.9%), and Unipol Gruppo (+2%). Sentiment was further supported by reports that US President Donald Trump said a US–Iran deal is nearing completion and that he has cancelled planned strikes against Iran. For the week, the benchmark index is on track for a solid gain.