(Alliance News) - European equity markets - with Milan alone posting slight gains - were set to open lower on Tuesday, as escalating Middle East tensions weigh on risk appetite, threatening to derail the four-week truce between the US and Iran.
US forces repelled Iranian attacks while escorting two US-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, while the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates was reportedly hit by an Iranian drone strike.
Of note before the opening bell, the UniCredit board approved first-quarter results, closing with a net profit of EUR3.22 billion, up 16% year-on-year.
The MIB - after closing down 1.6% at 47,478.13 yesterday evening - is currently up by 72.00 points.
Among other European hubs, the CAC 40 is down 25.00 points, the DAX 40 is trading 98.00 points lower, and the FTSE 100 is down 14.00 points.
The Mid-Cap shed 0.7% to 57,537.96 yesterday evening, the Small-Cap closed down 0.2% at 34,482.81, while Italy Growth rose 0.2% to 8,868.90 points.
Yesterday evening, Telecom Italia - which finished 2.3% in the red - announced the fulfillment of conditions precedent regarding the share capital reduction and the conversion - both optional and mandatory - of savings shares into ordinary shares, as approved by the shareholders' meeting on January 28.
The company announced that, following the expiry of the statutory period without creditor opposition, the share capital reduction has become effective, now standing at EUR6 billion compared to the previous approximately EUR11.68 billion.
As noted in this week's report by Claudio Guerrini on Evaluation.it, Buzzi - with daily sales of 2.1% - remains a key player in the construction materials sector, with a diversified model across cement, concrete, and aggregates, and a solid geographical footprint that mitigates business cyclicality.
Unipol ended trading among the worst performers, down 3.7% at EUR21.39 per share. Conversely, Nexi topped the MIB with a 2.8% gain, while STMicroelectronics and DiaSorin were also among the session's seven gainers, rising 3.2% and 2.6% respectively.
On the Mid-Cap, Anima Holding - up 2.7% at EUR6.84 per share - closed the first quarter with a consolidated net profit of EUR61.4 million, down 14% from EUR71.8 million in the same period of 2025, while normalized consolidated net profit rose 13% to EUR69.9 million from EUR61.9 million.
Total consolidated revenues reached EUR140.6 million, up 5% from EUR134.2 million in Q1 2025, supported by net management fees of EUR92.1 million, a 5% increase from EUR87.5 million.
Brembo - down 0.1% - announced that Sensify, the new standard in intelligent braking, has entered production 'for a major global vehicle manufacturer'. Sensify will be fitted as standard on all vehicles in the program, the company stated in a note, 'confirming the platform's full maturity for large-scale industrial application'.
Interpump - down 1.1% at the close - announced that the shareholders' meeting appointed the new nine-member board of directors, which will remain in office until the approval of the 2028 financial statements. The board includes Federica Menichetti, Fulvio Montipò, Giovanni Tamburi, Fabio Marasi, Roberta Pierantoni, Rita Rolli, Anna Chiara Svelto, and Elena Iotti from List 1 submitted by Gruppo IPG Holding Spa, and Nicolò Dubini from List 2 submitted by a group of shareholders.
NewPrinces closed the session with a 6.7% gain at EUR17.99 per share, while Cembre, which touched its 52-week high, gained 5.5%.
Among small caps, Intesa Sanpaolo confirmed its 'buy' recommendation on doValue - with daily gains of 5.2% - with a target price of EUR3.40, compared to a market price of EUR2.10 as of April 30, implying an upside potential of approximately 62%.
Analysts indicate that the group is set to report a weak first quarter, penalized by a particularly unfavorable comparison with Q1 2025, which was bolstered by high-margin non-recurring items, reflecting a normalization of operating profitability.
Dexelance, down 7.5%, closed the first quarter ended March 31 with a net loss of EUR3.8 million, widening from the EUR2.6 million loss recorded in the same period of 2025, while the adjusted net result was negative by EUR200,000.
Revenues stood at EUR84.4 million, up 17% from EUR72.1 million in the first quarter of 2025.
EPH - down 5.3% - signed two 'binding Letters of Intent' with an industrial operator for the development of two student housing initiatives in central Padua. This involves EPH acquiring a 60% stake through a capital increase of EUR220,000.
Borsa Italiana Spa announced that OPS Italia shares are suspended from trading until further notice.
Among SMEs, ABP Nocivelli - up 4.7% - signed the contract for the construction and management of the 'City of Health and Science' in Novara with the temporary consortium comprising Consorzio Stabile SIS and Nocivelli itself.
Italian Wine Brands announced on Monday the launch of a new buyback for a maximum of 60,000 treasury shares with a total value of EUR1.5 million. The stock rose 1.2%.
Ilpra Spa - down 1.6% - announced the establishment of a new commercial branch in Melbourne, Australia. As explained in a company note, the new branch, which will be operational in about two months, further strengthens its presence in foreign markets, where the group is already active in 11 countries.
Next Geosolutions Europe - with daily gains of 4.1% - announced the integration of contracts already awarded with Saipem as part of the Bouri Gas Utilization project in North Africa, with a total value exceeding EUR70 million.
In New York, the Dow Jones fell 1.1%, the Nasdaq shed 0.2%, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.4%.
In Asia, the Hang Seng is down 1.1%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1684 from USD1.1699 on Monday evening, while the pound is at USD1.3524 from USD1.3538.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD114.36 per barrel from USD114.22 on Monday evening, while gold is valued at USD4,545.00 per ounce from USD4,532.40 yesterday evening.
Tuesday's economic calendar includes a speech by ECB President Christine Lagarde at 1330 CEST, followed by De Guindos.
At 1330 CEST, attention shifts to the US with import-export data and the trade balance. US housing data are also expected.
On Piazza Affari, quarterly results from ten companies are due, including Amplifon, BMP, and Ferrari.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter
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