The FTSE MIB Index Closes 0.95% Higher

The FTSE MIB Index gained 486 points or 0.95 percent on Friday to close at 51802 points. Gains were led by Bper Banca (2.75%), Brunello Cucinelli (2.54%) and Intesa Sanpaolo (2.27%). Biggest losers were Poste Italiane (-3.32%), Telecom Italia (-2.26%) and STMicroelectronics (-1.96%).

The FTSE MIB rose 0.9% to 51,802 on Friday with support from financial stocks following a slight pullback in energy prices. Financials led gains, with BPER Banca rising 2.8% as sovereign bond yields stabilized following a retreat in oil prices, easing inflation concerns and offsetting the impact of newly announced US global tariffs. Intesa Sanpaolo, Banco BPM, Mediobanca, and BMPS all gained more than 2%. UniCredit advanced 1.5% after Commerzbank confirmed that discussions will resume next month, following the Italian lender's acquisition of a likely controlling stake, helping alleviate investor concerns over delays to its share buyback program. STMicroelectronics fell 2.4%, extending a near 18% plung in the last session after missing estimates, with AI overspending concerns continuing to weigh. Poste Italiane led declines, falling 3.7%, followed by Telecom Italia (-2.7%), after Poste unveiled plans for a new AI-focused data centre in partnership with the telecom operator.

The FTSE MIB rose to around 51,600 on Friday, trimming losses of 2.8% in the previous session, as investors remained focused on developments in the Middle East. Brent crude eased from $100 per barrel but stayed at elevated levels. Markets also digested the latest trade actions from President Donald Trump, who introduced tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from most major trading partners after an investigation into alleged shortcomings in preventing forced labor across supply chains, with the tariff rate for the EU expected to remain capped at 10%. Among individual stocks, Intesa Sanpaolo (+1.74%), Banco BPM (+1.56%), and Azimut Holding (+1.25%) led the gains, while Tenaris (-1.33%) and Lottomatica (-1.27%) were among the biggest decliners. Meanwhile, Poste Italiane shares were nearly flat despite the company reporting revenue and adjusted operating profit above expectations. For the week, the index is heading for a third consecutive decline.