The FTSE MIB Index Closes 0.15% Lower

The FTSE MIB fell 0.2% to close at 51,604 on Wednesday, pressured by energy producers and continued volatility in AI-related stocks. ENI dropped 2.6% and Saipem lost 3.5% as restored oil exports from the Middle East lowered global prices. AI-related stocks weakened following their rally this week, with STMicroelectronics (-3.3%) and Prysmian (-2.2%) posting notable losses. Meanwhile, defense stocks advanced after the UK announced a reallocation of €15 billion in defense spending, boosting Leonardo (+4.4%), Fincantieri (+1.5%), and Avio (+1.1%). Banking stocks were mixed following softer-than-expected inflation data in the Eurozone, with UniCredit adding 0.5%. Also on the financial front, Unipol added 3.9% after receiving an upgrade from Intermonte. Nexi soared 6.4% on a strong session for payment infrastructure globally.

The FTSE MIB Index fell 78 points or 0.15 percent on Wednesday to close at 51605 points. Leading the losses are Saipem (-3.06%), STMicroelectronics (-3.04%) and Eni (-2.62%). Top gainers were Nexi (6.25%), Leonardo SpA (4.22%) and Amplifon (4.09%).

The FTSE MIB fell to around 51,400 on Wednesday, snapping a recent rally after posting robust quarterly gains and tracking losses across its European peers. Markets assessed signs that US-Iran talks had stalled after Tehran said it would not hold meetings with US officials. Attention also shifted to the ECB Forum, where central bank officials, including representatives from the Fed and the ECB, are scheduled to speak later in the day. Across the bourse, energy stocks traded lower, including Eni (-0.5%), Enel (-0.3%), Snam (-1.5%), and Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale (-1%). Most financial stocks also declined, with Unicredit (-0.8%), Intesa Sanpaolo (-0.8%), Banco BPM (-0.9%), Mediobanca (-0.5%), and BPER Banca (-1%) posting losses. Luxury stocks also came under pressure.