(Alliance News) - On Wednesday, major European markets closed trading in positive territory. U.S. exchanges also performed well, opening higher.
In Europe, according to ECB-Watch, the market is pricing in a 94% probability that the European Central Bank will hold interest rates steady at its March meeting, keeping the deposit rate at 2.00%.
Domestically, the quality of Made in Italy products has so far offset the impact of tariffs. In 2025, exports reached a record EUR643 billion, up 3.3% year-on-year, with a trade surplus exceeding EUR50 billion, compared to EUR48.3 billion in 2024.
As a result, the Mib closed up 1.3% at 46,361.09, the Mid-Cap gained 1.5% to 60,031.99, the Small-Cap rose 1.1% to 36,100.15, and the Italy Growth index edged up 0.1% to 8,698.81.
Other markets were also positive: the FTSE 100 rose 1.2%, the CAC 40 was up 0.8%, and the DAX 40 gained 1.2%.
"Weaker British inflation and strong results from leading defense and mining stocks have pushed the FTSE 100 to new highs. It's a day of strong risk appetite for global markets, which seem unfazed by the ongoing military buildup in the Middle East," observed Chris Beauchamp of IG, who added, "it appears the inevitable decline in tech stock buying has finally begun."
On the Milan Stock Exchange, Eni – bullish at the close with a 1.4% gain – is considering a return to oil and gas trading, aiming to capture the high returns achieved by competitors amid heightened price volatility linked to geopolitical tensions.
Standard Ethics has assigned Fincantieri, which saw purchases up 1.9%, a Corporate Standard Ethics Rating SER 'EE-'. The company is also a component of the SE Italian index.
The board of directors of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, which closed up 1.5%, has approved the path toward integration with Mediobanca – up 5.7% and leading the index – in line with the offer document established a year ago and already reviewed by the European Central Bank.
The board will proceed with the "full integration" of Mediobanca, of which Siena holds 86.3%, through a merger by incorporation and the consequent delisting of the Milanese institution after a remarkable 70 years.
Recordati closed fiscal year 2025 with a net profit of EUR443.6 million, up 6.5% from 2024, while adjusted net profit rose to EUR651.1 million, a 15% increase from the previous year.
Consolidated net revenues stood at EUR2.62 billion, up 12% from 2024, or 8.3% on a like-for-like and constant currency basis. The stock closed up 2.5% at EUR48.50 per share.
Leonardo also saw strong buying, up 4.7%, after signing a deal with Indra Group to strengthen cooperation in cyber defense, aiming to expand its international presence in Europe, NATO, and other high-potential markets.
Campari registered sales down 1.3%, while Telecom Italia fell 1.7% and Ferrari dropped 2.6%.
On the Mid-Cap, Fiera Milano signed a binding agreement to acquire 51% of Stipa, an Italian leader in the design and production of high-end customized exhibition setups, also active in corporate event setups and the retail and showroom segment. The stock rose 5.5% to EUR7.52 per share.
About EUR1 billion in debt, halted construction sites, and a new request for negotiated composition for a preventive arrangement: this is the situation at Rizzani de Eccher, the historic Friulian general contractor, which failed to overcome its crisis despite the entry, in December 2024, of Sagitta SGR via the UTP Restructuring Corporate fund.
Webuild, which rose 1.4% at session's end, may consider an acquisition, though interest from the FS Group cannot be ruled out.
Banca Ifis slipped 1.5% to EUR24.68, while ERG closed up 4.3% at EUR23.74 per share.
On the Small-Cap, Fidia announced Wednesday that GGH requested the conversion of 10 bonds from the first tranche of the convertible bond loan with warrants.
The conversion price was set at EUR0.10 per share, resulting in the issuance of 1.0 million Fidia shares to GGHL. The stock fell 2.4%.
SIT – up 4.0% – signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Conthidra, a Spanish company active in the distribution of products and solutions for water consumption measurement, thus strengthening its position in the European water market.
OPS Retail fell 3.7% to EUR0.0210 per share, while the biggest gains were seen in EuroGroup Laminations, back in the green at 9.4% to EUR1.48 per share, and IGD at 9.6%.
Among SMEs, SG Company announced that its 51%-owned subsidiary Winning has signed a binding agreement to acquire 51% of the share capital of In Action. The closing is scheduled for March 4, 2026. The stock ended down 2.5%.
Siav – flat at EUR3.040 – signed a three-year partnership with Mondevo Group, a global financial and technology group based in Abu Dhabi serving international family offices.
Alantra, recognizing Keatrix as a driver for the future, confirmed its 'buy' recommendation on Cyberoo and maintained the target price at EUR2.70, with a potential upside of 56% from Tuesday's close. The stock ended down 0.4%.
The board of Casta Diva Group reviewed preliminary consolidated revenue figures for 2025, with revenues reaching EUR134.9 million, up 11% from EUR121.9 million in the previous year. The stock slipped 0.4%.
In New York, the Dow Jones is up 0.6%, the Nasdaq 1.3%, and the S&P 500 0.8%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1816 from USD1.1828 at Tuesday's European equity close, while the pound is at USD1.3549 from USD1.3528 Tuesday evening.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD69.68 a barrel from USD67.11 a barrel last night, while gold is at USD5,001.31 an ounce from USD4,877.13 an ounce last night.
On Thursday's economic calendar, at 1000 CET Spain's trade balance is due, while at 1200 CET the German Buba monthly report is expected.
At 1430 CET in the U.S., focus will shift to unemployment, alongside the release of import and export data. At 1800 CET, the crude oil inventory report is due, and at 2230 CET the Fed's balance sheet is scheduled.
On the Milan Stock Exchange, Alfonsino, Laboratorio Farmaceutico Erfo, and Moncler will present results.
By Michele Cirulli, Alliance News Reporter
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