(Alliance News) - European stock markets opened in negative territory again on Friday, hit by a mix of macroeconomic data and geopolitical tensions fueling uncertainty across financial markets.
Wholesale prices in Germany rose 1.2% year-on-year in February, maintaining the pace recorded in the previous two months and marking the 15th consecutive increase. The data was released on Friday by Destatis.
On the geopolitical front, Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public message warning that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as a "pressure tool" and threatening attacks on all U.S. bases in the region if they do not close. The immediate reaction in oil markets saw crude prices rise, putting further pressure on energy sectors and increasing global volatility.
Consequently, the FTSE Mib is posting a loss of 1.2% at 43,938.14 points.
Among smaller indices, the Mid-Cap is down 1.0% at 53,805.01, the Small-Cap is falling 0.9% to 33,720.18, while Italy Growth is moving slightly above the parity line at 8,384.55.
London's FTSE 100 is down 0.8%, Paris's CAC 40 is dropping 1.2%, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 is retreating 1.0%.
In Milan, among blue chips, Saipem is one of the few gainers, advancing 1.5% to EUR3.33 per share, rebounding after three bearish sessions.
Leonardo, meanwhile, is down 0.6% at EUR63.46 per share. Notably, JP Morgan raised its target price on the stock to EUR77.00 from the previous EUR66.00.
Stellantis - bearish with a 1.5% drop - is considering possible agreements with Chinese automakers that could invest in struggling European assets, allowing the group to focus more investment in the USA. According to sources cited by Bloomberg and reported Friday by Il Sole 24 Ore, executives met with Xiaomi and Xpeng to discuss options for reorganizing European operations, including the potential acquisition of stakes in Maserati or other brands. Access to production capacity is also on the table as Chinese groups seek to strengthen their presence in Europe.
In the mid-cap segment, Avio shows strength, appreciating 7.1% to EUR36.20 per share, following an 8.9% loss in the previous session.
Safilo Group - up 1.1% - announced Thursday that it closed 2025 with an adjusted net profit of EUR44.6 million, up from EUR34.2 million as of December 31, 2024. Group profit stood at EUR48.6 million from EUR22.3 million the previous year. EBITDA as of December 31 was EUR106.4 million from EUR79.8 million in 2024, while adjusted EBITDA amounted to EUR104.2 million from EUR93.0 million.
Ferretti - down 0.8% - stated Thursday that its board of directors believes the takeover bid launched for the company by KKCG Maritime, a company owned by Czech billionaire Karel Komarek, is neither fair nor reasonable for independent shareholders and recommended not to accept. The luxury yacht manufacturer, listed on Euronext Milan and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, explained that the board approved the issuer's response document required by Italian regulations and Hong Kong takeover rules.
Caltagirone - in the red by 0.6% - closed 2025 with a net profit of EUR272.4 million, a 5.8% increase compared to EUR257.5 million recorded in 2024. Profit attributable to the group stood at EUR147.8 million, up 14% from EUR130.1 million the previous year.
On the Small-Cap index, Tesmec is shedding 4.3%, marking its third consecutive bearish candle. The stock has posted an aggregate loss of approximately 18% over the last five sessions.
Gefran - flat at EUR110.45 - announced Thursday that it approved the draft financial statements as of December 31, 2025, closing with revenues of EUR139 million, a 4.8% increase compared to EUR132.6 million in 2024. Net profit was EUR9.9 million, an 11% decline of EUR1.3 million compared to EUR11.1 million in December 2024.
Enervit - in the green by 5.9% - announced Thursday that it closed 2025 with a net profit of EUR4.3 million from EUR4.1 million as of December 31, 2024. The company proposed a dividend distribution of EUR0.215 per share, up from EUR0.16 paid in 2024. Revenues reached EUR103.2 million from EUR96.7 million in 2024.
TXT e-solutions - up 4.4% - announced that the board approved the 2025 results, closing with a net profit of EUR25.3 million, a 59% increase compared to the EUR15.9 million recorded in 2024. Adjusted net profit stood at EUR34.5 million, up 72% from EUR20.0 million the previous year.
Among SMEs, Farmacosmo is advancing well, moving up nearly 11% after a 3.0% contraction the day before.
Impianti is up 3.1%, following a nearly 15% rise the previous day, with financial results expected later today.
Datrix - not yet traded - announced Thursday its entry into the healthcare sector with a portfolio of adaptable AI solutions to support hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare organizations. The company will be a partner of Wired Health Beyond, an event dedicated to healthcare innovation to be held on March 18 in Milan.
Circle - in the green by 0.2% - announced Thursday that it closed 2025 with a production value of EUR25.1 million from EUR14.6 million as of December 31, 2024. EBITDA stood at EUR6.1 million from EUR3.0 million the previous year, with a margin of 24% up from 21% in 2024.
In New York - during the European evening - the Dow fell 1.6%, the Nasdaq retreated 1.8%, while the S&P 500 closed in the red by 1.5%.
Among Asian markets, the Nikkei fell 1.2%, the Hang Seng closed down 1.0%, while the Shanghai Composite dropped 0.8%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1476 from USD1.1520 on Thursday, while the pound exchanges at USD1.3302 from USD1.3345 yesterday evening.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD101.50 per barrel from USD99.16 per barrel on Thursday, while gold is worth USD5,091.61 per ounce from USD5,167.50 per ounce yesterday evening.
Friday's macroeconomic calendar includes industrial production in Italy at 1000 CET.
In the afternoon, attention shifts to the USA. At 1330 CET, GDP and the PCE price index will be released.
At 1500 CET, JOLTS job openings data is expected in the USA.
The day concludes at 1900 CET with Baker Hughes data on the total number of drilling rigs in the USA.
Among Piazza Affari companies, results are expected from Biesse, Cembre, De' Longhi, El.En., Emak, Impianti, IRCE, LU-VE, MARR, and Neodecortech.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter
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