Mib Outpaces European Markets, Driven by Banks and Utilities

(Alliance News) - On Tuesday, the main European markets are trading in positive territory, with the Mib showing particular strength compared to other exchanges.

Italy's trade surplus with foreign countries widened in December and throughout 2025. Exports rose by 0.3% on a monthly basis in December after a 0.4% increase in November, while year-on-year, December's 4.9% growth follows a 0.1% decline in the previous month.

Imports, on the other hand, increased by 0.1% month-on-month in December after falling by 3.2% in November, and grew by 3.4% year-on-year after a 3.5% decrease in November.

The Mib is up 0.5% at 45,633.76 points, the Mid-Cap is down 0.7% at 58,841.89, the Small-Cap falls 0.3% to 35,573.39, and Italy Growth slips 0.3% to 8,700.40 points.

Other markets are also positive: the CAC 40 is up 0.1%, the DAX 40 rises 0.2%, as does the FTSE 100.

In Piazza Affari, Monte dei Paschi di Siena gains 2.6%. The bank is focusing on international profiles for the new board of directors, which will be elected on April 15. In its recently approved guidelines, the board highlights the need to enhance international experience and outlook.

More woes for Stellantis, down 0.6% on the day, as the company faces the risk of a new class action in the USA after the stock market plunge that followed a EUR22 billion write-down related to electric vehicles.

The law firm Levi & Korsinsky has launched an investigation into possible violations of federal securities laws, paving the way for collective actions.

Fincantieri, which received a EUR2.00 billion order from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings for the construction of three next-generation cruise ships, is down 2.9% to EUR16.27 per share.

Only Prysmian performs worse at mid-session, with a 3.7% drop to EUR95.52 per share.

Mediobanca rises 3.4%, while utilities are pulling the index higher, with Italgas up 1.9% and Enel gaining 2.0%.

On the Mid-Cap, ERG—up 5.1%—is exploring industrial alliances in renewables. According to press reports, the group controlled by the Garrone family is considering extraordinary transactions that could lead to a shareholding reorganization.

Among potential interested parties are A2A, up 0.9% today, Swiss company Axpo, and some funds, although the most likely scenario in the market remains a merger with an industrial partner.

UBS maintains a 'neutral' rating on Interpump Group—down 1.8%—with a target price of EUR43.10, compared to a February 13 close of EUR41.50. The rating follows a very negative market reaction, with the stock down about 20% after results.

BFF Bank drops 5.8% to EUR3.614 per share. After Bankitalia, the Milan Prosecutor's Office is also investigating the bank for suspected accounting fraud.

The case is said to have been opened in the second half of 2024, following an inspection in which the Bank of Italy challenged the bank's accounting policies, particularly regarding the classification of receivables from the public administration.

MARR also performs well, with purchases pushing it up 2.1% to EUR9.35 per share.

On the Small-Cap, the Banca Sistema issue takes center stage, flat at EUR1.64 per share. "The price of CF+'s OPAS on Banca Sistema is too low." So claims Tico Capital Management—TCM, a shareholder with over 1%, in a letter sent to Consob opposing the EUR144 million offer launched by the challenger bank controlled by Elliott.

Kepler Cheuvreux keeps EuroGroup Laminations—still down 2.4%—under review after the company announced the collapse of the deal announced last summer between EMS Euro Management Services, the main shareholder of EuroGroup Laminations, and Ferrum Investment, a vehicle controlled by funds managed by FountainVest.

Selling hits Aedes, down 7.9%, and Centrale del Latte d'Italia, down 3.5%. On the other hand, Borgosesia sees strong buying, soaring by 19% after the takeover bid by Alba, which will pay EUR0.710 for each share tendered, for a maximum of EUR33.9 million.

OPS Retail also performs well, up 17% after a management change at the top.

Among SMEs, Mare Group has recorded EUR7 million in orders since the start of the year, a significant increase compared to the same period last year. Growth is particularly linked to the Industry & Transportation and Aerospace & Defense sectors.

The board of Kaleon has approved the accounts as of December 31, 2025, showing consolidated revenues of EUR23.2 million, up 7% from EUR21.7 million as of December 31, 2024, an increase of about EUR1.5 million driven mainly by Ticketing and F&B lines.

gAIn360 has increased the number of board members to 9 from 7 and appointed two new directors, Leonardo Castaldi and Michele Zanioli.

Leone Film Group closed the year with revenues of EUR45.1 million, up 5.0% from EUR43.1 million in 2024. EBITDA stands at EUR31.1 million, essentially stable compared to EUR31.0 million the previous year.

In the USA, the stock markets remained closed for Presidents Day.

In Asia, the Nikkei slipped 0.4%, while the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng were closed for Chinese New Year.

On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1843 from USD1.1854 at Monday's European stock market close, while the pound is at USD1.3595 from USD1.3628 on Monday evening.

Among commodities, Brent trades at USD68.26 per barrel from USD68.50 per barrel on Monday evening, while gold is valued at USD4,923.48 an ounce from USD4,985.15 an ounce yesterday evening.

On Tuesday's economic calendar, US employment data will be released at 1415 CET.

By Michele Cirulli, Alliance News reporter

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