(Alliance News) : On Friday, major European stock exchanges opened with strong momentum, tracking overnight gains in the U.S. and Asia. As Donald Trump once again suggests a potential short-term deal with Iran in the Middle East, markets are digesting yesterday's interest rate decisions from the ECB.

The MIB opened up 1.9% at 51,480.35 points, the Mid-Cap rose 2.2% to 63,290.21, the Small-Cap gained 1.3% to 36,172.73, and Italy Growth edged up 0.1% to 9,108.55.

Other European indices are also in the green: the CAC 40, DAX 40, and FTSE 100 are up 1.9%, 1.8%, and 1.2% respectively.

On the MIB, Stellantis leads the pack, climbing 4.8% to €65.41. The automaker is accelerating its solid-state battery development, announcing the integration of Factorial's Fest cells into a Dodge Charger Daytona for road testing: the goal is to validate the technology's performance ahead of future industrialization.

Unipol, up 2.8%, will only intervene if Intesa Sanpaolo's bid for Monte dei Paschi is successful. Intesa rose 2.3%, while Monte dei Paschi opened 3.5% higher. This stance was reaffirmed by Chairman Carlo Cimbri during a hearing before the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the banking system.

"The takeover bid is being conducted by Intesa Sanpaolo," Cimbri stated, clarifying that neither Unipol nor BPER will have an operational role until the authorization process is complete, which could take approximately six months.

Meanwhile, the boards of Banco BPM, up 1.9%, and Monte dei Paschi di Siena are preparing to review the €30.6bn offer launched by Intesa Sanpaolo for the Sienese bank. The deal would allow the Milan-based lender to acquire assets including Mediobanca, Compass, Widiba, and a 13.3% stake in Generali.

Banco BPM, which had previously proposed a merger with MPS, will discuss the matter at its board meeting on Tuesday. Analysts suggest the merger would have industrial logic, though the outlook has become more complex following Intesa's move.

Eni saw a weak start, falling 2.2% to €23.235 per share.

On the Mid-Cap, Ferretti rose 2.9% after clarifying its position regarding press rumors suggesting interest in acquiring The Italian Sea Group. The company specified that "no negotiations are underway" for the acquisition of TISG's entire capital or its main assets:

"At the same time, as a leading player in the Italian nautical sector and in line with its external growth strategy, Ferretti constantly evaluates and monitors opportunities that may arise on the market," the company stated in a note.

Acea, up 1.4%, has appointed members to its board committees: the control and risks committee will be chaired by Barbara Marinali, alongside Massimiliano Capece Minutolo Del Sasso, Luisa Melara, Ferruccio Resta, and Antonino Cusimano.

The appointments and remuneration committee will be chaired by Massimiliano Capece Minutolo Del Sasso and will include Angelo Piazza, Elisabetta Maggini, Luisa Melara, and Patrizia Rutigliano.

Intesa Sanpaolo confirmed its "buy" rating on LU-VE with a target price of €70, compared to a market price of €64.50 as of June 10.

According to analysts, LU-VE emerged stronger from the ISMO event in Madrid thanks to its first-quarter results and, notably, the awarding of its first major multi-year contract in the data center segment with a hyperscaler, with a potential value exceeding €100m in the first two years. The stock is up 1.5%.

On the Small-Cap, FILA gained 2.1%. The company could benefit from the growth of DOMS Industries following the acquisition of assets related to the Reynolds brand from Newell Brands subsidiaries. Intesa Sanpaolo confirmed its "buy" recommendation on the stock with a target price of €14.3.

In a note by Giada Cabrino, the bank noted that the transaction, valued at approximately $3.7m excluding inventory, includes manufacturing assets, intellectual property, contracts, and employees related to Reynolds' writing instruments and school products business.

Borgosesia remained flat at €0.714 after approving the issuance of a three-year senior, non-subordinated, unsecured, and non-convertible bond for a maximum amount of €35m. The first issuance is expected by June 30.

FNM, flat at €0.4815, appointed Massimo Cinotti as the new Officer in Charge of preparing corporate accounting documents and Chief Financial Officer, replacing Eugenio Giavatto, following a mutual agreement to terminate his employment.

SS Lazio fell 1.5% after "categorically" denying reports and reconstructions "circulated in recent hours by some media outlets and social channels regarding the sale of the company." "There are no negotiations underway for the sale of the company, nor have any agreements, understandings, or commitments of any kind been signed regarding the total or partial transfer of the club's ownership," the press release stated.

Among SMEs, Vinext announced the resignation of non-executive director Sergio Corbi, effective June 15, due to new professional commitments. The stock soared 18% to €1.66.

Promotica, up 0.7%, launched the new loyalty campaign "L'utile fatto ad arte" for Unicoop Firenze, featuring an exclusive collection of knives from the Compendio line by Coltellerie Berti, a historic Tuscan brand founded in 1895.

The initiative allows members and customers to collect a stamp for every €15 spent to obtain products from the collection, which consists of seven knives designed to combine design, functionality, and quality for daily kitchen use.

Rocket Sharing, up 7.4%, closed 2025 with a group net loss of €0.1m, a significant improvement from the €1.5m loss recorded in 2024.

During the period, sales revenue rose to €7.2m, a 61% increase compared to €4.5m in the previous year.

In New York on Thursday, the Dow closed up 1.9% at 50,848.75, while the Nasdaq rose 2.5% to 25,809.66 and the S&P 500 gained 1.8% to 7,394.30.

In Asian markets, the Hang Seng rose 1.5% to 24,611.00, the Shanghai Composite gained 1.1% to 4,031.51, and the Nikkei closed up 2.9% at 66,058.00.

In the currency markets, the euro is trading at $1.1558 from $1.1520 on Thursday evening, while the pound is at $1.3385 from $1.3338 yesterday.

Among commodities, Brent crude is trading at $88.46 per barrel from $93.19 on Thursday evening, while gold is valued at $4,180.57 per ounce from $4,079.48 at yesterday's close.

Friday's macroeconomic calendar includes Baker Hughes rig count data from the U.S. at 1900 CEST, followed by the COT Report at 2130 CEST.

No major corporate announcements are expected from Piazza Affari companies.

By Michele Cirulli, Alliance News reporter

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