(Alliance News) - On Thursday, major European indices are forecast to move into negative territory, according to IG futures, as early-year optimism fades amid rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty. The ADP report indicated the creation of fewer new jobs than expected in December.
According to the report, the US economy added approximately 41,000 new private sector jobs last month, compared to the 50,000 forecast by analysts.
"The figure was weak enough to fuel expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut, but not weak enough to reignite recession fears," explained Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote.
On the commodities front, US oil prices declined due to increased supply expectations linked to potential additional barrels from Venezuela, although a return to production levels from a decade ago would still take several years.
The FTSE Mib is expected to open down 0.4% or by 182.5 points after closing Wednesday down 0.3% at 45,558.68.
In Europe, London's FTSE 100 is indicated down 0.4% or by 45.1 points, Paris' CAC 40 is seen up 0.3% or by 22.7 points, and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is forecast to fall by 0.2% or by 54.5 points.
In Milan last night, the Mid-Cap ended up 0.7% at 60,519.49, the Small-Cap rose 0.6% to 37,618.27, while Italy Growth advanced 0.1% to 8,842.92.
On the Mib, Eni finished down 4.7% at EUR15.69, following a 0.9% loss the previous day.
Tenaris dropped 3.5% after two bullish sessions, closing at around EUR16.84 per share.
Strength was seen in Italgas, which advanced 5.4% to EUR10.37 per share, taking the top spot on the index.
Telecom Italia – up 5.8% and the best performer on the index – announced Wednesday that it had reached a preliminary agreement with Fastweb + Vodafone to begin cooperation on the development of mobile access networks through a Radio Access Network sharing model, aiming to accelerate 5G expansion in Italy. The agreement is a precursor to a definitive contract, expected to be signed by the second quarter of 2026.
Enel, on the other hand, advanced 0.8% to EUR9.27 per share. Notably, Goldman raised its price target on the stock to EUR11.00 from EUR10.00 per share.
Diasorin ended the session down 0.6%. Barclays cut its target price on the stock to EUR60.00 from the previous EUR105.00.
Saipem closed down 3.5% at EUR2.52 after four consecutive bullish sessions.
On the MidCap, Salvatore Ferragamo fell back 2.7% to EUR8.43, following a 6.4% gain the previous day.
LU-VE – at the bottom of the segment – dropped 2.8% to EUR38.85, following a 1.1% loss the previous day.
Pirelli also lost 1.1%. The Italian government is considering action on the Pirelli dossier, including a possible freeze on the voting rights of Chinese shareholder Sinochem, which holds 34%, to protect US business interests. The news was first reported by the Financial Times, with no official comments from either Sinochem or the company. The US market accounts for about 20% of the group's revenues and 40% of high-value tire sales.
On a positive note, Caltagirone advanced 4.3% to EUR9.76 per share, after a 0.4% loss the previous day.
Acea also rose 2.6% to EUR23.06 per share. During trading, the stock set a new 52-week high at EUR23.26 per share.
On the Small-Cap, Seri Industrial gained 3.8%, reversing course after two losing sessions.
Fidia increased 2.3% to EUR0.1228 after a flat session on Tuesday.
Trevi Finanziaria Industriale saw strong buying, up 3.9% to EUR0.74, marking its sixth consecutive bullish session.
Enervit advanced 3.1%, following a 1.0% loss the previous day.
Aeffe lagged, falling 5.1% after a 2.1% drop in the previous session.
Among others, Landi Renzo also saw selling pressure, down 3.5% for its fifth consecutive losing session.
Among SMEs, Farmacosmo gained 3.6% to EUR0.6960, marking its sixth consecutive positive session.
Casta Diva – up 5.7% – acquired the events division of Prodea Group, according to Milano Finanza on Wednesday. The deal was carried out through its subsidiary Nautilus 6 and is part of Prodea Group's negotiated crisis resolution process. The transaction was authorized by the Turin Court at the end of December and by Casta Diva's board of directors in early January.
Cofle fell 3.1% to EUR3.09 per share, after a 0.3% gain the previous day.
Estrima closed down 6.7% at EUR0.1280, after two consecutive positive sessions.
In New York on Wednesday, the Dow Jones lost 0.9%, the Nasdaq rose 0.2%, while the S&P 500 retreated 0.3%.
In Asia, the Nikkei closed down 1.6%, the Shanghai Composite was down 0.1%, while the Hang Seng lost 1.5%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1678 from USD1.1689 at Wednesday's European equity close, while the pound is changing hands at USD1.3451 from USD1.3502 last night.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD60.28 per barrel from USD60.05 per barrel at Wednesday's European equity close, while gold is valued at USD4,435.22 an ounce from USD4,455.63 an ounce last night.
On Thursday's economic calendar, at 1000 CET, Italy's unemployment rate is due.
At 1100 CET, Eurozone business and consumer confidence data are expected, along with the unemployment rate.
From the US, at 1430 CET, initial jobless claims and the trade balance are due.
At 2230 CET, the Federal Reserve's weekly balance sheet will be published.
No significant announcements are expected from companies listed on Piazza Affari.
By Antonio Di Giorgio, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2026 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.
