(Alliance News) - European markets opened on an upward trend, with investors' attention remaining focused on Venezuela after the "detention" of President Maduro and his wife by the United States over the weekend.
Defense sector stocks — including Milan — are reaping the benefits, pushing indices higher amid growing concerns over European security in an international context shadowed by the complex situations in Ukraine, Iran, and Israel.
The Mib index is up by 0.5% at 45,596.68 points.
Among the smaller indices, the Mid-Cap rises by 0.6% to 59,290.33, the Small-Cap is up 0.4% at 37,101.55, while the Italy Growth index posts a gain of 0.8% at 8,848.81.
Other European markets are also in positive territory, with the CAC 40 up 0.7%, the DAX 40 gaining 0.9%, and the FTSE 100 advancing by 0.3%.
On the Mib in Milan, Leonardo jumps 6.1% to lead the index, trading at EUR54.40 per share, marking its third consecutive bullish session.
Fincantieri also posts a strong gain, up 4.8% at EUR18.51 per share.
BPER Banca advances 2.3% to EUR12.01. Morgan Stanley has initiated coverage on the stock, indicating a target price of EUR13.90.
Exor, Piero Ferrari, and the Piero Ferrari Trust have renewed their shareholder agreement on Ferrari, confirming strategic alignment on the Prancing Horse. As reported by Milano Finanza, the new pact will take effect when the current one expires on January 4, 2026, will last for three years until 2029, and will be automatically renewable.
Ferrari opened trading up 1.4% at EUR320.70 per share.
On the Mid-Cap, Avio is up 4.7% at EUR31.25 per share, marking its third consecutive bullish session.
Technoprobe also gains 3.3% at EUR13.35 per share, poised for its third straight bullish close if the trend holds.
Italmobiliare is also among the top performers, with its price up 1.8% at EUR28.85 per share.
Newprinces, on the other hand, falls 3.1% after a 2.2% gain in the previous session.
On the Small-Cap, Aeffe climbs 6.2%. The stock — which has not paid a dividend since 2009 — is on track for its sixth consecutive bullish session.
Fidia rises 5.6%, rebounding after three sessions of negative balance.
Class Editori moves up 4.1%, following a 3.6% gain in the previous session.
Zucchi advances 3.8% to EUR0.82 per share. The stock — which last paid a dividend in 2023 — is rising after two consecutive sessions in the red.
Among SMEs, Edil San Felice shows strength, rising 9.3% after closing Friday up 3.2%.
Circle Group — up 1.4% — announced Monday it had secured a contract from a major national logistics operator for the technological evolution and automation of two lanes with Totem for remote management at a multipurpose terminal in a Mediterranean port. The Gate Operating System will enable automated reading of front and rear license plates and container codes at the terminal gates, as well as integration with the TOS. The contract is valued at approximately EUR250,000.
TraWell Co — up 3.4% — announced Monday it had been awarded a new concession to provide its services at Bologna "Guglielmo Marconi" International Airport.
Among the many decliners, Green Oleo is down 4.3%, bringing its price to the EUR0.67 area.
In New York on Friday evening, the Dow Jones gained 0.7%, the Nasdaq slipped fractionally, while the S&P500 added 0.2%.
In Asia, the Nikkei rose nearly 3%, the Shanghai Composite gained 1.4%, while the Hang Seng finished just above parity.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1686 from USD1.1745 at Friday's close in European equities, while the pound is changing hands at USD1.3428 from USD1.3491 on Friday evening.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD59.92 per barrel from USD60.10 per barrel at Friday's close in European equities, while gold is valued at USD4,427.07 per ounce from USD4,320.12 per ounce on Friday evening.
On Monday's economic calendar, at 1000 CET, Germany will release consumer price data.
At 1030 CET, the Sentix index on consumer confidence in the Eurozone will be published, while at 1200 CET, US construction sector data will be released.
The US manufacturing analysis is scheduled for 1600 CET, and at 1800 CET, new vehicle registration data will be released in France.
No significant announcements are expected at Piazza Affari.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News Reporter
Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2026 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.
