Mib hovers around 45,000; MPS and Mediobanca perform well

(Alliance News) - The Mib continues Wednesday's session in decline, falling into the 45,000-point area, reversing the gains of the previous session and moving in line with the weaker tone observed on other European lists.

Persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are weighing heavily on investor sentiment. Relations with Iran remain strained, and no concrete signs of de-escalation have emerged at this time. Uncertainty has been further fueled by conflicting messages from the U.S. administration, where President Donald Trump has taken a tougher line, while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that yesterday could represent "our most intense day of strikes."

On the macro and monetary policy front, markets are also closely watching the possible inflationary implications of the conflict. A member of the European Central Bank's Governing Council, Peter Kazimir, stressed how the geopolitical context and the risks of price pressures could necessitate a faster-than-expected tightening of monetary policy.

In this context, expectations implicit in money markets indicate a generally hawkish orientation for major central banks in the medium term. In addition to the ECB, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan are also currently priced for at least one rate hike during 2026, albeit without a precise timeline.

The Mib thus fell by 0.3% to 45,064.82 points, the Mid-Cap is navigating in the red by 0.4% at 56,201.55, the Small-Cap is bearish by 0.1% at 34,726.60, and Italy Growth is down 0.2% at 8,451.25.

Among other European indices, the CAC 40 shed 0.4%, the DAX 40 lost 0.8%, and the FTSE 100 retreated by 0.6%.

At Piazza Affari, among the blue chips, the boards of directors of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena and Mediobanca approved the merger by incorporation of Piazzetta Cuccia into Rocca Salimbeni, a transaction that marks Mediobanca's departure from the Stock Exchange after 70 years.

The exchange ratio is set at 2.45 MPS shares for each Mediobanca share, including a 3% premium over market values.

Banca Monte dei Paschi advanced 1.6%, while Mediobanca rose 3.2%.

Leonardo - down 2.8% - announced on Wednesday that, through its subsidiary Leonardo UK, it has signed a binding agreement for the acquisition of the British company Becrypt, which operates in the cybersecurity sector. The operation aims to consolidate the company's positioning in the UK through collaboration with the Government and the National Cyber Security Centre, in order to protect the UK's most sensitive environments.

France's Crédit Agricole expressed its favorable opinion on the confirmation of Banco BPM's top management, although it is not participating in the outgoing board of directors' list. Within the Piazza Meda institution, "excellent work has been done on development. We believe strongly in the future of this bank," explained the CEO of Crédit Agricole Italia, Hugues Brasseur.

Stellantis - which shed 1.5% - returned to the market with a massive issuance of EUR5 billion in perpetual hybrid bonds, structured in three tranches between euros and pounds. The operation recorded record demand exceeding EUR19 billion, allowing the group to reduce expected yields. The securities, with first redemption clauses between 2031 and 2033, serve to strengthen the capital structure without diluting shareholders like Exor after the EUR22 billion write-downs related to electric vehicles and the suspension of the dividend.

On the cadet segment, Carel Industries - in the green by 4.5% - approved on Tuesday the consolidated results as of December 31, 2025, recording a net result of EUR73.6 million, an 18% increase compared to 2024. The board also proposed a dividend of EUR0.195 per share, up from EUR0.165 last year. Consolidated revenues rose to EUR629.0 million, marking a growth of 8.7% compared to the previous year, which would have been 10.6% at constant exchange rates.

Comer Industries advanced by 2.2%, following the 2.3% gain in the previous session.

MFE-MediaForEurope NV announced on Tuesday that, following the investment agreement concluded with Impresa – Sociedade Gestora de Participações Sociais - and Impreger – Sociedade Gestora de Participações Sociais SA -, it has subscribed to newly issued Impresa shares, representing 33% of the share capital. Impresa's revenues were EUR181.8 million and Ebitda was EUR18.8 million, with total interest-bearing net debt of EUR126.9 million.

Class A shares fell 1.8%, while Class B shares shed 0.9%.

Ferretti - in the red by 0.4% - announced on Tuesday that Ferretti International Holding Spa purchased 188,768 ordinary shares of the company. The shares were acquired at an average unit price of EUR3.6462, for a total value of EUR688,285.88.

On the Small-Cap, a boost for doValue, which advanced 5.0% to EUR2.32 per share, rebounding after a bearish streak.

Good buying also on SS Lazio, with the Roman team rising 4.2% following yesterday evening's 3.1% gain.

EuroGroup Laminations - bearish with a 3.3% drop - could face a further deterioration in performance in 2026, according to a new report published Wednesday by Kepler Cheuvreux, which significantly reduces forecasts for the group and lowers the target price to EUR1.25 from EUR1.55.

IGD SIIQ - down 0.3% - communicated on Tuesday some data relating to the first two months of 2026, with the shopping centers in the Italian portfolio recording excellent operational performance, also benefiting from the positive impact of sales. Specifically, in January, the turnover of gallery operators recorded an increase of 7.1% compared to January 2025, with footfall growing by 7.4%.

Among SMEs, Growens moved forward by 7.0%, following the same gain in the previous session.

DBA Group advanced 0.8%. The company announced on Wednesday that it was awarded, as lead partner, funding from the Veneto Region for the H2Nexus project. The funding, amounting to approximately EUR1.4 million under the PR Veneto FESR 2021-2027, supports an initiative that combines industry and research.

On a negative note - among many on the list - Alfio Bardolla is seen down 6.3%, bringing the price back to the EUR1.50 area.

Braga Moro is shedding 6.3%, heading for its third consecutive bearish session.

In New York, in pre-market trading, the Dow Jones is slightly below parity, while the S&P 500 is up 0.1%, as is the Nasdaq.

On the currency front, the euro is changing hands at USD1.1610 from USD1.1643 on Tuesday, while the pound trades at USD1.3444 from USD1.3452 yesterday evening.

Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD89.95 per barrel from USD89.10 per barrel on Tuesday, while gold is worth USD1,582.58 per ounce from USD1,523.43 per ounce yesterday evening.

Wednesday's macroeconomic calendar includes U.S. inflation data at 1330 CET.

At 1800 CET, an auction of 10-year Treasury Notes will be held.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter

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