Mib Around 45,000 Points, Banca Mediolanum Leads Gains

(Alliance News) - On Tuesday morning, major European indices opened in positive territory, buoyed by renewed market sentiment as investors turn their attention to Wednesday's Federal Reserve meeting and upcoming decisions on U.S. monetary policy.

The CME Group's FedWatch Tool, which relies on federal funds futures also tied to the effective rate (EFFR), indicates a probability above 97% that rates will be held within the 350-375 basis points range at the January 28 meeting.

On the geopolitical front, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran is interested in a diplomatic solution to tensions with the U.S., as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln moved into the Middle East.

Thus, the FTSE Mib is up 0.2% at 45,024.75, the Mid-Cap is down 0.1% at 60,639.83, the Small-Cap rises 0.2% at 37,521.43, while the Italy Growth index is fractionally higher at 8,837.34.

London's FTSE 100 is up 0.2%, Paris's CAC 40 is fractionally in the green, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 climbs 0.1%.

Back in Milan, on the main blue-chip list of Piazza Affari, Banca Mediolanum tops the leaderboard at the open, gaining 1.3% with 150,000 shares traded.

UniCredit is set to receive significant dividends in 2026 from its 26% stake in Commerzbank, which, according to analysts' estimates, could reach up to EUR380 million, or rise to EUR438 million if the stake increases to 29.9%, the maximum allowed by the European Central Bank. As Milano Finanza reported Tuesday, the dividend per share on 2025 earnings is expected to rise, with the payout scheduled for May. Shares in Piazza Gae Aulenti advance 1.1%.

Terna, slightly down 0.1%, announced it has successfully launched a EUR850 million perpetual hybrid European Green Bond, subordinated, non-convertible, and fixed-rate, aimed at institutional investors. According to the company, this is the first such perpetual hybrid green bond issuance in Italy—and for Terna—complying with the European Green Bond Standard.

Intesa Sanpaolo rises 0.6% after announcing Monday the completion, via its IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division, of two financings in the UK energy infrastructure sector totaling about EUR500 million, or GBP400 million. The deals include a line of about EUR290 million (GBP250 million) for National Grid and a line of about EUR170 million (GBP150 million) for National Gas.

Eni announced Monday that its subsidiary Plenitude and Zanasi Group, an Official Ferrari Service specializing in bodywork, mechanics, painting, and restoration of luxury cars, have signed a four-year renewable energy supply contract via a Power Purchase Agreement for 4.38 GWh per year. Shares in the six-legged dog slip 0.4%.

Strong buying for BPER Banca after the bank said Monday that the Italian government will not exercise special powers under the Golden Power regulations regarding the merger by incorporation of Banca Popolare di Sondrio. BPER rises 0.5%, while PopSondrio gains 0.4%.

Banco BPM continues to show strength, following gains in the previous session, with shares up 1.1%.

Stellantis, down 0.3%, saw sales rise in December in line with the overall European automotive market. The group, born from the merger between PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, posted a 2.5% increase compared to December 2024, with its market share slipping to 11.2% from 11.6% in the same month the previous year. Over the 12 months of 2025, Stellantis sold 1.89 million vehicles, down 3.9% from 1.97 million in 2024.

Among the decliners, Amplifon falls 1.7% and Nexi drops 2.3%.

At the bottom of the main list at the open is Mediobanca, down 2.7% with nearly 400,000 shares changing hands.

On the Mid-Cap, Technoprobe and PharmaNutra lead the gains, up 2.4% and 1.1%, respectively.

Anima Holding, slightly up 0.1%, announced Monday that its board of directors has co-opted Saverio Perissinotto as a board member and appointed him CEO and general manager of the company, effective February 2, 2026.

Webuild also performs well, advancing 0.9% after announcing the purchase of 500,000 own ordinary shares between January 19 and 23, for a total value of EUR1.7 million.

CNRC, a Sinochem subsidiary and Pirelli's largest shareholder with 34.1%, proposes to spin off smart tire-related activities into a new entity with no Chinese participation, in an attempt to overcome U.S. regulations on connected vehicles. As reported by Corriere Tuesday, the company calls the proposal "constructive" and in line with best international practices, hoping for cooperative dialogue. At the open, Pirelli slips 0.4%.

The Iren case remains open, with executive chairman Luca Dal Fabbro at the center of controversy for failing to inform the multi-utility about the role of the Xenon Fidec fund, in which he is a partner, involved in a recent deal with Hera. The matter will be brought to the attention of Consob and discussed at Iren's next shareholders' meeting, with the stock flat at EUR2.65.

At the bottom of the secondary list is Fiera Milano, down 1.6%.

On the Small-Cap, Bastogi outperforms all at the open, rebounding 4.0% after yesterday's decline.

At the other end of the list, EPH drops 2.3%.

Nearly EUR200,000 in early trades for Seco, unchanged at EUR3.13 per share.

Industrie De Nora slips 0.3%, while Altea Green Power gains 0.1%.

Among SMEs, among the stocks with the highest turnover, Confinvest falls 4.8% at the open.

H-Farm, up 1.0%, announced Monday that the shareholders' meeting, convened to approve the consolidated financial statements as of August 31, 2025, and the distribution of an extraordinary dividend, also made several other significant decisions.

First Capital, not yet traded, announced Monday that VF Adhesives, an investment vehicle wholly controlled by the First Capital group and holder of a stake in Industrie Chimiche Forestali, unchanged, has redeemed debt securities maturing in 2025, fully subscribed by the Fondo Impresa Italia managed by Riello Investimenti SGR.

RedFish LongTerm Capital, steady at EUR1.31, announced it closed 2025 with consolidated revenues of EUR67.8 million, up 34% from EUR50.6 million as of December 31, 2024.

At the bottom of the alternative list, Estrima drops 7.4% after the 22% surge posted in Monday's session.

In New York on Monday, the Dow Jones gained 0.6%, the S&P 500 closed up 0.5%, while the Nasdaq finished 0.4% higher.

In Asia, the Nikkei closed up 0.9%, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.2%, while the Hang Seng ended up 1.4%.

On the currency front, the euro changes hands at USD1.1853 from USD1.1887 at Monday's European equity close, while the pound trades at USD1.3665 from USD1.3704 last night.

Among commodities, Brent trades at USD64.40 a barrel from USD65.72 a barrel on Monday, while gold is valued at USD5,081.50 an ounce from USD5,081.75 an ounce last night.

On Tuesday's economic calendar, U.S. President Trump is scheduled to speak at 1330 CET. At 1500 CET, the U.S. consumer confidence report is due, while at 2130 CET, weekly oil inventory data will be released.

On the corporate calendar, results are expected from Destination Italia and Salvatore Ferragamo.

By Antonio Di Giorgio, Alliance News reporter

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