The FTSE MIB Index Closes 0.06% Higher

The FTSE MIB Index gained 34 points or 0.06 percent on Friday to close at 53717 points. Gains were led by STMicroelectronics (2.99%), Prysmian (1.73%) and Diasorin (1.26%). Biggest losers were Brunello Cucinelli (-2.60%), Fincantieri (-2.57%) and Nexi (-1.99%).

The FTSE MIB closed little changed at 53,717 on Friday, remaining at record highs over the week, as financial shares weighed on the index amid corporate earnings and banking consolidation developments. Intesa Sanpaolo rose 0.4%, while BMPS added 0.2% after lifting its 2026 profit outlook following better-than-expected quarterly results and saying it was evaluating options to counter a takeover bid from Intesa. Unipol slipped 0.8% as the firm aims to hold more than a 30% stake in a future banking group combining BPER Banca (-1.0%) and assets carved out of BMPS. Banco BPM fell 1.0%, while UniCredit lost 0.4% amid delays in merger talks with Commerzbank. Elsewhere, STMicroelectronics (3.1%) and Prysmian (1.2%) led gains on optimism over AI investments. DiaSorin and Recordati also advanced over 1%. Utilities benefited from lower European gas prices. On the downside, Stellantis fell 1.7% after Bernstein downgraded the stock. Brunello Cucinelli, Fincantieri and Nexi each lost more than 2%.

The FTSE MIB edged higher to around 53,700 on Friday, remaining close to record levels, as markets digested fresh financial-sector earnings while assessing the next phase of industry consolidation. Monte dei Paschi rose 0.4% after reporting better-than-expected Q2 profit and evaluating strategic alternatives amid Intesa Sanpaolo’s takeover bid. Unipol reported a 42% year-on-year increase in first-half net profit, supported by strong performance in its insurance business, although its shares fell more than 1%. Larger lenders UniCredit and Intesa Sanpaolo advanced 0.5% and 0.7%, respectively. Outside the financial sector, defense stocks were among the strongest performers, with Leonardo and Avio advancing more than 2% and 5%, respectively. For the week, the benchmark index is heading for its best week in five.