FTSE MIB Edges Down

The FTSE MIB declined 0.5% to 51,443 on Wednesday, as renewed tensions in the Middle East reignited risk aversion across sectors. Utilities led the losses as higher natural gas prices dented the outlook on margins, with Italgas (-4.5%) being the worst performer on the index. Lottomatica Group dropped 4%. STMicroelectronics lost 3.6% as investors continued to reassess lofty valuations in AI, magnified by SK Hynix missing their outlook. Banking shares traded lower as sovereign yields climbed alongside oil prices, reflecting mounting inflation concerns. The BTP-Bund spread widened to 84 basis points, weighing on the sector, led by UniCredit (-2.2%). On the upside, Eni outperformed, advancing 7.1% after reporting that second-quarter net profit more than doubled, supported by stronger oil prices. Elsewhere, Stellantis (4.2%) and Nexi (3.4%) extended recent gains.

The FTSE MIB Index fell 255 points or 0.49 percent on Wednesday to close at 51443 points. Leading the losses are Lottomatica (-4.28%), STMicroelectronics (-3.89%) and Italgas (-3.64%). Top gainers were Eni (7.09%), Stellantis N.V. (3.57%) and Nexi (3.20%).

The FTSE MIB rose to around 51,800 on Wednesday, recovering some of the previous session's losses as investors assessed a fresh batch of corporate earnings while monitoring renewed hostilities between the US and Iran. Eni surged more than 4% after reporting that its second-quarter net profit more than doubled and raising its full-year guidance. The company also announced a new share buyback program. Recordati also gained 0.4% after posting stronger first-half results, while Nexi advanced more than 3% after reporting higher first-half profit. Stellantis gained around 3% after agreeing to sell its Free2move car-sharing business to Munich-based investment firm Mutares SE & Co. KGaA, a move that aligns with its strategy to focus on its core automotive operations. On the downside, STMicroelectronics fell more than 2% as the global selloff in semiconductor stocks intensified.