(Alliance News) – European stock markets are forecast to open slightly higher on Wednesday, according to futures markets, as investors continue to digest the latest tariff announcements from Washington.

US President Donald Trump has categorically ruled out any extension for newly introduced tariffs set to affect 14 countries, which are scheduled to take effect on August 1.

In parallel, Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper imports and floated the possibility of imposing tariffs of up to 200% on pharmaceutical imports. However, these latter measures would be subject to a 12-18 month deferral to allow industry adjustments.

Market participants remain focused on the progress of a potential trade agreement between the US and the EU. Speculation is mounting, with a growing sense that a deal could be announced soon, potentially easing the impact of the new trade barriers.

The FTSE Mib – after gaining 0.7% to close at 40,182.62 points last night – is currently showing a gain of 20.00 points.

Paris's CAC 40 is up 31.40 points, Frankfurt's DAX 40 is ahead by 22.10 points, while London's FTSE 100 is up by 14.00 points.

Among the smaller indices, last night the Mid-Cap closed up 1.0% at 54,783.23, the Small-Cap gained 0.7% to 32,308.65, while Italy Growth slipped 0.1% to 8,266.08 points.

Turning to Piazza Affari, on Tuesday Stellantis advanced 3.6% to EUR8.64 per share, rebounding after two sessions of losses.

Eni – up 1.9% – signed a new contract in Algeria with Sonatrach for the exploration and development of hydrocarbons in the Zemoul El Kbar area. The 30-year agreement covers a 4,200 square kilometer area in the Berkine basin, about 300 km from Hassi Messaoud, and also integrates assets previously managed under separate contracts.

Planned investments total USD1.35 billion, with USD110 million earmarked for exploration.

Azimut Holding – up 0.8% – reported on Tuesday that net inflows in June stood at EUR1.45 billion, bringing the year-to-date total to EUR9.01 billion. The company explained that this result represents 90% of its annual target, which is set at over EUR10.0 billion.

At the end of June, the group’s total assets amounted to EUR112.83 billion, up 4.9% compared to the end of 2024.

Banca Popolare di Sondrio – down 0.7% – announced on Tuesday that its board of directors acknowledged the improved offer from BPER Banca – down 0.4% – for the Voluntary Public Exchange Offer for all shares in the Valtellinese bank, which now includes a cash component of EUR1.00 for each tendered share.

The PopSondrio board recognized that the increased financial component represents an improvement in the offer's terms.

On the Mid-Cap, Banco di Desio e della Brianza closed up 2.0%, building on the previous session's modest 0.3% gain.

Among several strong performers, Reply rose 2.7% to EUR145.30.

Banca Generali – down 0.7% – reported on Tuesday that June net inflows stood at EUR308.0 million, compared to EUR697.0 million a year earlier, bringing the year-to-date total to EUR3.01 billion.

Iren declined 1.6%, marking its fifth consecutive bearish session.

On the Small-Cap, Trevi Finanziaria climbed 5.5%, rebounding after two sessions of losses.

Safilo Group – up more than 13% – reported on Tuesday that it acquired 567,000 of its own ordinary shares between June 30 and July 4, for a total consideration of approximately EUR518,000.

doValue – up 0.9% – announced on Tuesday that it has successfully completed the merger of doNext and Master Gardant, both wholly owned subsidiaries active in master servicing. Following the transaction, doNext is now the market leader in the growing Italian master servicing sector, with a 36% market share in terms of GBV and involvement in over 100 securitization transactions.

Landi Renzo – down 0.4% – announced it had signed an agreement with a major OEM market client to formalize commercial terms under which the company will continue supplying LPG kits until year-end under the current program.

The company has also committed to fulfilling "after-sale" supply obligations for 10 years, in exchange for an extraordinary monetary contribution from the client.

Among SMEs, Innovatec advanced 9.7%, marking its fourth consecutive session of gains.

Gentili Mosconi closed up 5.4%, rebounding after three sessions in the red.

Circle – down 0.9% – announced on Tuesday it had signed a new contract worth around EUR180,000 to launch an ambitious digitalization project in partnership with a major Mediterranean port authority.

The project will involve developing various innovative solutions, ranging from digitalizing rail and road traffic, optimizing the planning of rail shunting activities within the port context, to implementing a "Digital Twin" system for simulating scenarios related to port infrastructure.

CleanBnB – down 3.6% – reported it closed the first half with gross bookings of EUR23.2 million, up 8% from EUR21.4 million in the same period last year. The property portfolio increased by over 160 units to 3,111, spread across more than 100 Italian locations and managed exclusively, mostly under the "Full Package" complete management formula.

In New York, during the European evening, the Dow Jones slipped 0.4%, the S&P lost 0.1%, while the Nasdaq closed just above flat.

In Asia, the Nikkei is up 0.3%, the Shanghai Composite is advancing 0.4%, while the Hang Seng is down 0.9%.

On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1717 from USD1.1695 at Tuesday's close, while the pound is trading at USD1.3586 from USD1.3551 on Tuesday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is trading at USD69.96 from USD69.84 per barrel at the previous close, while gold is valued at USD3,288.32 from USD3,294.18 per ounce on Tuesday.

On Wednesday's economic calendar, at 1300 CEST, the US mortgage market report is due, while at 1600 CEST, attention turns to crude oil inventories, weekly EIA stocks, and the Cushing inventory report.

At 2000 CEST, the minutes from the latest FOMC meeting are expected.

No corporate events are scheduled on the company calendar.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News Reporter

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