The FTSE MIB Index Closes 0.09% Higher

The FTSE MIB Index went up by 48 points or 0.09 percent on Thursday to close at 52666 points. The rise was led by Eni (2.59%), Italgas (1.92%) and Diasorin (1.60%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were Stellantis N.V. (-3.84%), Unipol Gruppo (-3.07%) and Amplifon (-2.99%).

The FTSE MIB closed largely unchanged at 52,666 on Thursday, as merger and takeover developments continued to shape sentiment around heavyweight financials. MPS fell 0.3% after its board approved plans to launch separate bids for Banco BPM (0.9%) and Generali-controlled (-0.1%) Banca Generali, in an effort to fend off a takeover bid from Intesa Sanpaolo (0.4%). BPER Banca (-0.3%) and Unipol (-3.0%) were also affected, while UniCredit (0.6%) has built a stake in Generali in recent months, which it has described as a financial investment. Meanwhile, Eni advanced 2.6%, tracking higher global oil prices after US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping package of economic measures targeting Iran. Utilities outperformed, led by Italgas (2.0%) and Snam (1.3%). On the downside, Stellantis fell 3.7%, erasing recent gains, while Amplifon declined 3.0% after GN Hearing reported disappointing quarterly results.

The FTSE MIB edged higher to around 52,800 on Thursday, snapping a two-day decline and outperforming most of its regional peers. Global bond yields eased after the US Treasury announced plans to at least double buyback operations for long-dated government bonds, improving the backdrop for risk assets. Financial stocks mostly traded in positive territory, with UniCredit rising 1%, Intesa Sanpaolo gaining 0.8% and Generali adding 0.7%. Monte dei Paschi di Siena also advanced 0.7% as its board prepared to discuss potential defensive options against Intesa Sanpaolo’s €36 billion takeover bid. Autos also gained, with Ferrari up about 1% and Stellantis rising around 0.4%. Meanwhile, investors remained cautious amid geopolitical uncertainty, as negotiations to resolve the US-Iran conflict remained deadlocked and the Trump administration pursued intensified economic pressure on Tehran.