The FTSE MIB Index Closes 0.21% Lower

The FTSE MIB Index fell 108 points or 0.21 percent on Wednesday to close at 51987 points. Leading the losses are Unipol Gruppo (-2.49%), Assicurazioni Generali (-2.30%) and Prysmian (-1.86%). Top gainers were Eni (2.82%), Brunello Cucinelli (1.75%) and Amplifon (1.50%).

The FTSE MIB fell 0.2% to 51,987 on Wednesday, amid merger talks in Milan, while concerns over the country’s budget deficit weighed on the index. Italy’s budget deficit was confirmed at 3.1% in 2025, above the EU’s ceiling, raising concerns over increased spending on defense and energy. However, Italy plans to confirm a commitment to bring its deficit below 3% this year. Meanwhile, sovereign yields increased following stronger-than-expected PMI data, raising bets of an ECB rate hike. Financials were mixed following reports that Italy will abstain from a vote at an MPS (0.4%) shareholder meeting to approve the defensive acquisitions of Generali-controlled (2.3%) Banca Generali and Banco BPM (1.2%). Intesa slipped 0.4%. On the upside, as global oil prices snapped a streak of consecutive declines, energy stocks advanced, led by Eni (2.8%). Defense Leonardo (1.1%) and Fincantieri (0.2%) outperformed. Avio rose 1.9% following upbeat revenue estimates from Intesa.

The FTSE MIB rose to around 52,400 on Wednesday, approaching a four-week high, as falling oil prices continued to support sentiment and ease some concerns over inflationary pressures. Oil prices declined for a sixth consecutive session as signs of a potential US-Iran agreement raised hopes of an end to the war and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Heavyweight financials were among the top performers, rebounding after coming under pressure in the previous session amid opposition from European banks to proposed EU rules on sovereign exposures. Notable gainers included UniCredit (+1.6%), Intesa Sanpaolo (+1%), Banco BPM (+1.9%) and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (+1.1%). Luxury names also advanced, with Ferrari rising 1.5%, while Moncler and Brunello Cucinelli gained 1.2% and 0.8%, respectively. Utilities shares also traded higher.