Mib approaches 49,000; BFF leads Mid-Cap gains

(Alliance News) - Major European stock exchanges continued to trade higher at midday on Thursday, as investors look optimistically toward Donald Trump's visit to China, hoping for an improvement in trade relations between the two countries, particularly in the technology and microchip sectors.

Meanwhile, in the UK, markets are waiting to see how the anticipated challenge to Keir Starmer's leadership evolves, which according to rumors was expected today at the hands of his Health Secretary, Wes Streeting.

Consequently, the MIB rose 0.7% to 49,825.02, the Mid-Cap advanced 1.1% to 60,179.54, the Small-Cap climbed 0.7% to 34,627.61, while Italy Growth was in the green by 0.2% at 8,914.43.

London's FTSE 100 rose 0.2%, Paris's CAC 40 gained 0.6%, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 was up 1.3%.

On the MIB, Stellantis remained at the top with a 3.2% increase. Bloomberg, citing an interview given Wednesday by Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, reported that the Chinese group is looking to Europe to accelerate its industrial expansion and is reportedly considering the acquisition of underutilized plants, including sites linked to Stellantis.

Furthermore, Milano Finanza, reporting Chinese media rumors, stated that Stellantis is in advanced negotiations with Huawei and Jac Motors to jointly develop new electric models for the Trident brand.

STMicroelectronics followed, advancing 2.3% at midday, followed by A2A, up 2.2%, and Poste Italiane, which rose 1.7%.

FinecoBank rose 0.7% after announcing Wednesday that it had completed the placement of its Senior Preferred instrument issuance for qualified investors, for a total amount of EUR500 million and a coupon for the first five years of 3.738%, compared to initial guidance of five-year Mid-swap rate + 110 basis points.

Hera - up 0.5% - announced Wednesday that it closed the first quarter with revenues of EUR3.52 billion, down from EUR4.32 billion as of March 31, 2025. Net profit for the period was EUR165.1 million, compared to EUR163.8 million the previous year.

Snam shed 1.5%. The company announced Wednesday that it recorded a net profit of EUR292 million in the first quarter of 2026, a 41% decrease compared to EUR491 million in the corresponding period of 2025. Adjusted net profit also fell by 7.6% to EUR375 million from EUR406 million in the first three months of the previous year.

On the Mid-Cap, Acea rose 0.3% after announcing Thursday that it closed the first quarter of 2026 with growth in investments and net profit, supported by a focus on regulated businesses and the continuation of its asset portfolio rationalization strategy.

BFF Bank outperformed all others, advancing 9.9%, extending gains after quarterly results on Tuesday showed profit growing to EUR49.5 million, up 40%. Even excluding non-recurring items, largely due to tax matters, adjusted net profit for the period stood at EUR43.2 million, up 24%.

WIIT followed, up 6.6%, after announcing Wednesday that the board approved the consolidated accounts as of March 31, closing the first quarter with an adjusted net profit of EUR4.1 million, substantially stable compared to EUR4.3 million in the same period of 2025.

During the period, the group recorded adjusted revenues of EUR41.4 million, a slight increase compared to EUR41.1 million in the first quarter of 2025.

Ferretti rose 1.7%. The company announced Thursday that yesterday evening, Honorary Chairman and Non-Executive Director Piero Ferrari and Independent Non-Executive Director Stefano Domenicali resigned, with immediate effect, as members of the board of directors.

NewPrinces advanced 0.5% after announcing Thursday that it closed the first quarter of 2026 with a consolidated net loss of EUR22.6 million, an improvement over the EUR34.8 million loss in the first quarter of 2025, on a like-for-like basis.

The group net result was negative at EUR24.2 million compared to a profit of EUR12.6 million in the same period of 2025.

The board of MFE-MediaForEurope - with A and B shares rising 4.5% and 4.2% respectively - approved the first quarter 2026 accounts on Wednesday, closing with a consolidated net loss of EUR26.1 million, an improvement over the Pro Forma loss of EUR41.3 million recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Fiera Milano - up 3.0% - announced Wednesday that it closed the first quarter with a net profit of EUR27.7 million, up from a net loss of EUR3.2 million as of March 31, 2025. Revenues for the quarter were EUR126.4 million, up 98% from EUR63.7 million in the first quarter of last year.

The board of Rai Way - in the green by 2.5% - approved the first quarter 2026 accounts on Wednesday, closing with a net profit of EUR21.6 million, down 4.3% compared to the same period in 2025. During the period, the company recorded core revenues of EUR71.9 million, up 2.6% year-on-year.

The board of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore - up 1.7% - approved the first quarter accounts, closing with a net loss of EUR16.3 million, worsening from a loss of EUR13 million in the same period of 2025. Consolidated revenues stood at EUR170.9 million, up 3.9% compared to EUR164.4 million in the first quarter of 2025.

On the Small-Cap, Esprinet remained at the top of the list with a 7.7% rise. On Wednesday, it announced it closed the first quarter with a net profit of EUR2.8 million from EUR500,000 as of March 31, 2025.

Revenues for the quarter were EUR1.06 billion from EUR962.4 million in the same period of 2025.

Neodecortech followed with 6.3% and Fidia was up 5.3%.

Zest rose 0.4% after announcing Wednesday that it closed the first quarter with revenues and other income of EUR2.0 million compared to EUR2.2 million as of March 31, 2025, with the reduction mainly due to the cessation of subsidiaries that generated negative margins.

Immsi rose 1.9%. On Wednesday, it announced it closed the first quarter with consolidated revenues at current exchange rates of EUR369.1 million from EUR385.2 million as of March 31, 2025. Net profit before minorities was EUR100,000 in the first quarter, from EUR1.4 million in the first quarter of 2025.

The board of B&C Speakers - flat at EUR10.60 - approved the first quarter 2026 accounts on Wednesday, closing with a group net profit of EUR3.5 million, a slight decline from EUR3.7 million in the same period of 2025, in a context of reduced volumes but with substantial resilience in profitability.

Zucchi shed 4.8% on the day its accounts are to be presented.

Among SMEs, Espe rose 16% after approving its 2025 financial statements, closing with a net profit of EUR7.8 million, up from EUR3.4 million the previous year, of which EUR7.1 million was attributable to the ESPE Group. The company also resolved to distribute a gross dividend of EUR0.30 per share, compared to EUR0.15 last year.

Alfonsino advanced 1.2% after announcing Thursday that it closed the first quarter of 2026 with revenues of EUR800,000, up 9% compared to EUR700,000 in the first quarter of 2025.

High Quality Food has not yet seen any trades. The company announced Wednesday that it closed 2025 with a consolidated profit of EUR158,000 compared to EUR124,000 in 2024.

Pattern reversed course and rose 2.6%. On Wednesday, it announced it closed the first quarter with revenues of EUR27.6 million from EUR23.1 million as of March 31, 2025, representing 19% growth.

Among Asian markets, the Nikkei gained 0.5%, the Hang Seng finished down 0.2%, and the Shanghai Composite closed 0.3% lower.

In New York, the Dow Jones gained 0.2%, the Nasdaq rose 0.1%, while the S&P 500 finished up 0.2%.

On the currency front, the euro changed hands at USD1.1710 from USD1.1714 on Wednesday evening, while the pound traded at USD1.3517 from USD1.3526 yesterday.

Among commodities, Brent traded at USD106.43 per barrel from USD106.80 per barrel on Wednesday evening, while gold was worth USD4,695.65 per ounce from USD4,698.53 per ounce at yesterday's close.

On Thursday afternoon's economic calendar, the US retail sales report and jobless claims data are expected at 1430 CEST. In the evening, at 2230 CEST, the Federal Reserve's weekly balance sheet will be released as it is every Thursday.

By Chiara Bruschi, Alliance News reporter

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