(Alliance News) - Major European indices opened in positive territory on Friday, with Piazza Affari returning above the 44,200-point mark. The market was bolstered by statements from US President Trump, who ruled out a ground military intervention against Iran, while Treasury Secretary Bessent opened the door to the possibility of lifting sanctions on Iranian oil.
Crude oil prices fell following remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who suggested a potential rapid conclusion to the conflict. The market also reacted positively to Trump's comments indicating that Israel will not further target Iranian energy infrastructure.
On the EU front, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen intends to support the green industry with approximately EUR30 billion sourced from proceeds generated by the emissions trading system to advance the green transition.
Consequently, the FTSE MIB is up 1.3% at 44,263.80, the Mid-Cap is in the green by 1.4% at 52,678.83, the Small-Cap rises 0.7% to 32,344.99, while Italy Growth advances 0.3% to 8,352.44.
London's FTSE 100 is up 0.5%, Paris's CAC 40 rises 0.9%, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 gains 1.3%.
Returning to Milan, on Piazza Affari's blue-chip list, Buzzi advances 3.6% with over 150,000 shares already traded.
Enel - up 0.4% - announced that it has achieved all its 2025 strategic targets and closed the fiscal year with a group ordinary net profit of EUR7.01 billion, compared to EUR7.13 billion in 2024. This 2025 result is higher than the guidance of EUR7 billion communicated to the market. The group's net result, however, amounted to EUR4.22 billion from EUR7.0 billion the previous year.
The board has proposed a dividend of EUR0.49 per share, up from EUR0.47 in 2024.
Buying interest is strong for Moncler, in the green by 2.3% at EUR52.92. Oddo BHF upgraded the stock to "outperform" from "neutral" and raised the target price to EUR65.00 from EUR60.00.
Tensions over MPS governance persist, but the market is focusing on the solidity of shareholder remuneration, with the EUR16 billion earmarked in the plan considered untouchable.
CEO Luigi Lovaglio avoided commenting on his future but confirmed the validity of the plan and the integration with Mediobanca, reiterating the distribution policy. Speaking at the Morgan Stanley European Financials Conference in London, he aimed to reassure investors ahead of the April 15 shareholders' meeting and amid tensions with Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone. The approximately EUR3 billion in excess capital could support M&A operations or higher returns.
MPS is up 3.8%, as is Mediobanca.
European car sales returned to growth in February, rising 1.9%, but Stellantis stood out, accelerating well beyond the market and reinforcing the recovery signals outlined by CEO Antonio Filosa.
According to Automotive News based on Dataforce figures, the group recorded an 11% increase, nearly six times the industry growth rate, marking its third consecutive month of expansion. The result reflects a strategy focused on affordable models and greater commercial discipline, with an increasing contribution from vehicles on the Smart Car platform.
Stellantis is gaining 2.0% at the open.
Among the decliners, Amplifon yields 0.2%, while Eni retreats 1.0%.
Selling continues for Inwit, down 7.5% at the bottom of the main list. The company announced that the board of directors reviewed the status of relationships with anchor tenants, particularly Telecom Italia - down 0.0% - and Fastweb, in light of a potential joint venture project between the operators for the construction of new mobile sites in Italy, signaling an increase in conflictuality.
For 2026, Inwit forecasts revenues between EUR1.05 billion and EUR1.09 billion, with an Ebitda margin around 90% and an EbitdaaL margin of approximately 72%. The dividend per share will be at least EUR0.55, in line with 2025.
On the Mid-Cap, Technoprobe leads the gainers with a 5.6% rise, with over 160,000 shares changing hands.
Technogym is performing well, advancing 3.5%. The company announced on Thursday that it closed 2025 with an adjusted net profit of EUR119.9 million, up 33% from 2024.
The proposed dividend is EUR0.38 per share, an increase over the previous year.
Mondadori Editore - up 1.1% - approved its 2025 accounts, closing the year with a net profit of EUR54 million, down from EUR60.2 million in 2024. The board proposed a dividend distribution of EUR0.154 per share for a total of approximately EUR40 million, a 10% increase compared to 2024.
Among the stocks at the bottom of the mid-cap list, MFE Class A shares yield 2.1%, while Class B shares drop 1.1%.
On the Small-Cap, Antares Vision gains 1.0%, nearing EUR1 million in trading volume.
On the other side of the list, Gas Plus yields 3.0% after gaining 7.5% on Thursday evening.
Aedes - up 0.3% - announced on Thursday that it closed 2025 with a profit of EUR972,547 compared to the EUR1.5 million loss recorded in 2024.
Datalogic - up 3.9% - announced on Thursday that it closed 2025 with a profit of EUR7.7 million, down from EUR13.7 million in 2024. The board will propose a dividend of EUR0.12, stable compared to the previous year.
FNM - up 1.7% - announced on Thursday that it closed 2025 with a net profit of EUR73.6 million, a 24% increase compared to the EUR59.3 million recorded as of December 31, 2024.
The board will propose a dividend of EUR0.023 per share, totaling EUR10 million, up from last year's dividend of EUR0.0184 per share.
Among SMEs, Ecomembrane started strong - up 11% - after announcing on Thursday that it closed 2025 with a profit of EUR1.3 million, a 207% increase compared to EUR436,000 in the 2024 fiscal year.
The board will propose a dividend of EUR0.096 for each share, totaling approximately EUR412,000. The proposed dividend is up from 2024, when it was EUR0.05.
Expert.ai is rising, up 2.9%, marking its sixth consecutive session in the green.
ISCC Fintech - down 1.3% - announced on Thursday that it approved a binding offer submitted by a major Italian financial operator for the purchase of an NPL credit portfolio with a total GBV of approximately EUR51 million.
The sale price is nearly equivalent to the carrying value. The closing of the transaction is expected by April 15.
At the tail end of the alternative list, among the stocks with the highest trading value, First Capital yields 1.6%.
In New York on Thursday, the Dow Jones closed down 0.4%, the S&P 500 fell 0.3%, while the Nasdaq lost 0.3%.
Among Asian markets, with the Japanese stock exchange closed for a national holiday, the Shanghai Composite lost 1.2%, while the Hang Seng yielded 0.9%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1574 from USD1.1525 on Thursday evening, while the pound trades at USD1.3430 from USD1.3360 yesterday evening.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD107.48 per barrel from USD110.09 per barrel yesterday, while gold is worth USD4,715.20 per ounce from USD4,581.27 per ounce yesterday evening.
Regarding Friday's economic calendar, Italy's trade balance figures are expected at 1000 CET.
From the US, the Baker Hughes report will be published at 1800 CET, while at 2130 CET - as is customary on Fridays - the COT Report will be released.
Among the earnings reports arriving at Piazza Affari, eyes are on DHH, DiaSorin, gAIn360, Gambero Rosso, Impianti, Interpump Group, Next Re, OPS Italia, and Telesia.
By Antonio Di Giorgio, Alliance News reporter
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