(Alliance News) - On Monday, European stock markets moved into negative territory with the exception of Paris, which hovered around the flatline, while on the geopolitical front, for Europe, Donald Trump's proposal remains for now the only viable path toward peace in Ukraine, but it is far from definitive.
China has launched military exercises around Taiwan, including live-fire drills in five zones within the waters and airspace near the self-governing island claimed by Beijing.
In this context, the Mib fell by 0.3% to 44,492.72, the Mid-Cap slipped by 0.1% to 58,515.02, the Small-Cap gained 0.2% to 36,468.09, and the Italy Growth index was up 0.1% at EUR8,533.22 points.
The CAC 40 was slightly positive at 8,104.54 points, the DAX 40 slipped 0.2%, and London's FTSE 100 was marginally negative at 9,868.58 points.
On Piazza Affari, Banca Popolare di Sondrio (down 0.4%) announced it has signed an agreement with Nexi (up 2.1%) for the sale of its merchant acquiring business unit.
According to the press release, the deal also includes the sale to Nexi of the minority stake currently held by BPSO in Nexi Payments.
DiaSorin received 510(k) clearance and a CLIA-waiver from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its first test, the FLU A/B, RSV & COVID-19 panel, to be used on the LIAISON NES platform. The stock rose 3.5%.
Prysmian (down 0.1%) and Fincantieri (down 2.3%) signed a deal to acquire Xtera Topco Limited, a UK- and US-based company and leader in turnkey submarine telecommunications systems, enabling Prysmian to become a competitive global player in the sector.
Intesa Sanpaolo, flat at EUR5.8710 per share, announced that from January 1, 2026, the role of Chief Compliance Officer will go to Francesca Nieddu, while Mauro Senati will take on the role of Chief Risk Officer.
Leonardo ended down 4.0% at EUR47.47 per share.
On the Mid-Cap, MAIRE (up 0.3%) reported that NextChem has signed a binding agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of the Ballestra group, one of the world's leading operators in licensing, design, and engineering of processing plants, as well as the supply of proprietary technologies and equipment for the chemical industry.
The deal sets an enterprise value of EUR108.3 million.
CIR announced that between December 22 and 23, it purchased 175,000 of its own ordinary shares at an average price of EUR0.7053 each, for a total value of EUR123,427.50. The stock was flat at EUR0.7070 per share.
Webuild closed the basket down 2.5% at EUR3.4020 per share, while Sesa led the gains, up 4.6% at EUR90.55 per share.
On the Small-Cap, OPS eCom reported a net loss of EUR1.231 million, slightly wider than the EUR1.156 million loss in the first half of 2024. The stock was up 2.5%.
TXT e-solutions, down 1.1%, signed an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire the SmartRoutes division of Nexteon Technologies Inc, thus strengthening its presence in the US through its subsidiary PACE America.
Aeffe surged by double digits, up 14% at EUR0.285 per share. Fidia trailed the basket, down 4.6% at EUR0.1487 per share.
Among SMEs, Circle announced the signing of a new contract with a leading Mediterranean intermodal logistics operator, worth approximately EUR260,000, for the supply of Milos ecosystem solutions. The stock was up 2.0%.
Health Italia appointed a new board of directors, composed of seven members, selecting Stefano Pellegrino as chairman. The other board members are: Giovanni Giuliani, Mario Fera, Roberto Ippolito, Giorgio Ortolani, Matteo Almini, and Daniele Sotgiu. The stock was flat at EUR296.0 per share.
For Mare Group (up 0.3%), the destiling of Eles (up 7.1%) is not among the objectives of the strategic plan and, in fact, the company explained in a statement, "the presence of both companies on Euronext Growth Milan constitutes potential value."
Leone Film Group completed the business unit spin-off and the establishment of LV Legacy Media. The stock was up 0.7%.
In New York, on Friday, December 26, the Dow closed fractionally lower at 48,710.97, while the Nasdaq ended down 0.1% at 23,593.10, and the S&P 500 finished just below the flatline at 6,929.94.
On the currency front, the euro changed hands at USD1.1778 from USD1.1772 in the previous session, while the pound traded at USD1.3506 from USD1.3500.
Among commodities, Brent traded at USD61.76 per barrel from USD60.24 in the previous session, while gold was valued at USD4,461.61 an ounce from USD4,552.70.
On Monday's economic calendar, after the Christmas break, the US crude oil inventory report and the Cushing inventory are due at 1630 CET.
By Michele Cirulli, Alliance News Reporter
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