Mib and European markets rise but with caution

(Alliance News) - European stock markets are positioned for a modestly higher opening on Tuesday as investors await an expected rate cut by the Federal Reserve this week, despite the outlook for rates in 2026 becoming increasingly uncertain.

Rising bond yields have also put pressure on equities, with the 10-year US Treasury yield close to three-month highs.

In Europe, the Swiss National Bank is expected to keep its monetary policy rate at 0% this week. Meanwhile, Isabel Schnabel of the ECB has signaled that she is "comfortable" with market expectations that the central bank's next move could be a rate hike.

The MIB, after closing flat with the previous session at 43,432.82 points, is signaling a bullish opening of 52.00 points.

The CAC 40 in Paris is up 8.8 points, the DAX 40 in Frankfurt is up 24.40 points, while the FTSE 100 in London is fluctuating just below parity.

Among the minor indices, last night, the Mid-Cap fell 0.1% to 58,538.83, the Small-Cap showed a decrease of 0.2% to 36,072.30, and Italy Growth ended the session slightly down at 8,492.08 points.

On Friday, the MPS board of directors renewed its confidence in Luigi Lovaglio, who is under investigation for the acquisition of Mediobanca by the Siena-based institution. Consob has not yet proven the existence of relations between the CEO and certain shareholders aimed at controlling Mediobanca and Assicurazioni Generali, whose stock rose 0.2%.

Fitch upgraded Banca Popolare di Sondrio's rating to 'BBB' from BBB-. The stock advanced 1.2%.

The improved ratings of banks supported stocks, with BPM up 2.0% and BPER up 0.9%.

Tenaris fell 0.1%. The company announced a EUR77 million buyback.

Ferrari closed the day down 3.5% at EUR328.50 per share.

On the Mid-Cap, Fincatieri took the lead with purchases of 4.3% at EUR18.39 per share.

Aeroporto Guglielmo Marconi Di Bologna - up 0.8% - reported that passenger numbers reached 775,427 in November, an increase of 9.4% over the same month in 2024.

Alerion Clean Power - up 2.6% - signed a sale and purchase agreement with Estra for the sale of its entire stake in Eolica PM, a company that owns an operational wind farm located in the municipality of Pontelandolfo, with an installed capacity of 52 MW.

In the race for Riello, a historic boiler and burner manufacturer, in addition to Chinese suitors, there is also Ariston Holding, which is said to have a €500 million investment program ready. Ariston's stock closed down 1.2%.

Intercos fell 5.6% to EUR10.74 per share.

On the Small-Cap, Softlab fell 0.4% after receiving assurances from Seri Industrial about a fast track in the future recruitment plan.

Ops eCom took a new step in its plan to expand the company's business to express transport and logistics. The company signed a preliminary agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of KCT, a Galliate-based company operating in road freight transport. The stock fell 0.3%.

Borsa Italiana announced on Friday, before trading began, that Bestbe Holding shares are suspended from trading. The company reported the resignation of the entire board of directors following the resignations of directors Angelo Paletta and Emanuela Cipollari on November 21 and Carlo Casilli on November 26, who also left his operational duties.

As for governance, Matteo Lunelli is said to be in pole position for the presidency of Fiera Milano, Italy's leading listed trade fair operator, 63.8% controlled by Fondazione Fiera Milano. Fiera Milano shares closed up 0.4%.

Fidia fell 5.7% to EUR0.1235 per share. There were good purchases of 3.9% on Abitare In.

Among SMEs, Confinvest announced that it had approved a EUR 1.0 million aucap reserved for Dierre. In addition, another capital increase of up to EUR 2.5 million was approved through the issue of ordinary shares without par value to be offered as an option to shareholders. The stock closed up 1.1%.

On the contrary, SolidWorld Group announced that, in light of current market conditions and following a comprehensive analysis of its strategic objectives and capital structure, it had decided not to proceed with the remaining part of the capital increase approved in November 2024, amounting to a total of EUR 5 million. The stock fell 4.6%.

Monnalisa, after opening in double-digit red, recovered its losses, ending the session up 4.0%, while the newly listed RT&L recorded purchases of 6.7% at EUR2.198 per share.

In New York last night, the Dow Jones fell 0.5%, the Nasdaq lost 0.1%, while the S&P 500 closed down 0.4%.

Among Asian markets, the Shanghai Composite lost 0.4%, the Hang Seng is down 1.2%, while the Nikkei is up 0.1%.

On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD 1.1625 from USD 1.1623 at Monday's stock market close, while the pound is trading at USD 1.3328 from USD 1.3314 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is trading at USD 62.45 per barrel, down from USD 62.92 per barrel at yesterday evening's close, while gold is trading at USD 4,183.45 per ounce, down from USD 4,194.76 per ounce yesterday evening.

On Tuesday's economic calendar, at 1200 CET, the optimism of US small businesses will be assessed.

US employment data will be released at 1415 CET, while a speech by BoE members is expected at 1515 CET.

No significant announcements are expected on the Italian stock market.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News Reporter

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