FTSE MIB Falls Ahead of ECB Rate Decision
2026-09-09 15:50
By
Larissa Caser
1 min. read
The FTSE MIB fell 0.5% to 51,875 on Wednesday ahead of ECB's meeting tomorrow, which could weigh on credit demand for investment in defense, AI and energy transition.
Heavyweight financials declined as eurozone sovereign yields rose to multi-year highs while markets widely expect a rate hike by the ECB, weighing on the bank's balance sheets.
Adding to the pressure, talk of taxing banks' profits intensified as governments seek aid for budget deficits.
Asset managers were also affected, with Azimut and Banca Mediolanum falling over 1.5%.
Defense stocks Leonardo (-4%) and Fincantieri (-3.6%) led losses on the index.
STMicroelectronics fell 1.1%.
Stellantis declined 2.2%, as China's growing electric-truck market pressures Western manufactures.
Luxury stocks also declined amid weak demand from China and lower spending due to the war in the Middle East.
Attacks intensified in the region, lifting brent prices above $100.
Conversely, energy stocks outperformed.