(Alliance News) : On Friday, major European stock exchanges continued their session with strong gains, while oil stocks retreated following statements from Donald Trump regarding an imminent peace agreement with Iran.

This optimism is also reflected in Brent futures, which fell more than 4% to below $86.5 a barrel, the lowest level since early March. The decline follows growing hopes that the US and Iran can reach a peace deal and end the conflict that has disrupted energy markets.

The MIB continues its ascent, up 2.1% at 51,549.82 points, while the Mid-Cap rose 2.7% to 63,602.30, the Small-Cap gained 1.4% to 36,220.52, and Italia Growth edged up 0.2% to 9,124.94.

Other European markets are also in the green: the CAC 40 is up 2.2%, the DAX 40 has advanced 1.9%, and the FTSE 100 is trading 1.2% higher.

On the MIB, oil stocks are feeling the impact of falling crude prices and are trailing the pack. Eni, Tenaris, and Saipem fell between 4.2% and 1.8%, while Snam, Terna, and Italgas are down between 0.6% and 0.1%.

At the top of the list, however, are Buzzi and Avio, up 6.9% and 5.9% respectively.

Stellantis, following with a 5.8% gain, is accelerating its solid-state battery development. The company announced the integration of Factorial's Fest cells into a Dodge Charger Daytona for road testing: the goal is to verify the technology's performance ahead of future industrialization.

Unipol, up 3.8%, will only enter the fray if the offer launched by Intesa Sanpaolo, up 2.3%, for Monte dei Paschi, up 4.0% at mid-session, is successful. Chairman Carlo Cimbri reiterated this during a hearing before the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the banking system.

"The takeover bid is being made by Intesa Sanpaolo," Cimbri stated, specifying that neither Unipol nor BPER will have an operational role until the authorization process is complete, which could take about six months.

Meanwhile, the boards of Banco BPM, which is up 2.7%, and Monte dei Paschi di Siena are preparing to examine the €30.6bn offer launched by Intesa Sanpaolo for the Siena-based bank. This transaction would allow the Milan-based lender to acquire assets such as Mediobanca, Compass, Widiba, and a 13.3% stake in Generali.

Banco BPM, which had proposed a merger with MPS, will discuss the matter at its board meeting on Tuesday. According to observers, the merger would have industrial logic, but the outlook now appears more complex following Intesa's move.

On the Mid-Cap index, Cementir Holding rose 11% to take the top spot, followed by Zignago Vetro, up 7.7%, and Webuild, in the green by 6.4%.

Ferretti, with gains of 2.4%, clarified its position regarding press rumors suggesting interest in acquiring The Italian Sea Group. The company specified that "no negotiations are underway" for the purchase of the entire capital of TISG or its main assets:

"At the same time, as a leading operator in the Italian nautical sector and in line with its external growth strategy, Ferretti constantly evaluates and monitors opportunities that may arise on the market," a note read.

Acea, up 1.6%, proceeded with the appointment of board committee members: the control and risks committee will be composed of Barbara Marinali, appointed chair, along with Massimiliano Capece Minutolo Del Sasso, Luisa Melara, Ferruccio Resta, and Antonino Cusimano.

The appointments and remuneration committee will be chaired by Massimiliano Capece Minutolo Del Sasso and will include Angelo Piazza, Elisabetta Maggini, Luisa Melara, and Patrizia Rutigliano.

Intesa Sanpaolo confirmed its "buy" rating on LU-VE stock with a target price of €70, compared to a market price of €64.50 as of June 10.

According to analysts, LU-VE emerged stronger from the ISMO event in Madrid thanks to its first-quarter results and, above all, the awarding of its first major multi-year contract in the data center segment with a hyperscaler, with a potential value exceeding €100m in the first two years. The stock is up 1.4%.

On the Small-Cap index, FILA, with gains of 3.1%, could benefit from the growth of DOMS Industries following the acquisition of certain assets related to the Reynolds brand from Newell Brands subsidiaries. Intesa Sanpaolo confirmed its "buy" recommendation on the stock with a target price of €14.3.

In a note signed by Giada Cabrino, the bank noted that the transaction, valued at approximately $3.7m excluding inventory, includes manufacturing assets, intellectual property, contracts, and employees related to Reynolds' operations in the writing instruments and school products segment.

Borgosesia, flat at €0.71, approved the issuance of a three-year senior non-subordinated, unsecured, and non-convertible bond for a maximum amount of €35m. The first issuance is expected by June 30.

FNM, down 0.2%, appointed Massimo Cinotti as the new Executive in Charge of preparing corporate accounting documents and Chief Financial Officer, replacing Eugenio Giavatto, with whom a consensual termination of employment was agreed.

SS Lazio, down 0.6%, "categorically" denied reports and reconstructions "circulated in recent hours by some media outlets and social channels regarding the sale of the company." "There are no negotiations underway aimed at selling the company, nor have any agreements, understandings, or commitments of any nature been signed regarding the total or partial transfer of the club's ownership," the press release stated.

Among SMEs, Vinext announced that it received the resignation of non-executive director Sergio Corbi, effective June 15, due to new professional commitments. The stock soared 17% to €1.67.

Alantra confirmed its "buy" recommendation on FAE Technology, up 4.4%, and maintained its target price at €4.1. It highlighted that the recovery in demand in the second half of 2025, the strengthening of the order book, and expansion into higher value-added segments support the group's growth prospects for 2026.

In the note signed by Luca Arena, Andrea Zampaloni, and Filippo Mazzoleni, analysts recalled that 2025 closed with revenues of €66.5m, down 7.4% from the previous year, affected by weak demand in the electronics sector, particularly in applications related to electrification and the energy transition.

Promotica, in the green by 0.7%, launched the new loyalty campaign "L'utile fatto ad arte" developed for Unicoop Firenze, based on an exclusive collection of knives from the Compendio line created by Coltellerie Berti, a historic Tuscan brand founded in 1895.

The initiative allows members and customers to collect one stamp for every €15 spent to obtain products from the collection, which consists of seven knives designed to combine design, functionality, and quality for daily kitchen use.

Rocket Sharing, down 5.1%, closed 2025 with a group net loss of €100,000, a significant improvement compared to the €1.5m loss recorded in 2024.

During the period, sales revenues rose to €7.2m, a 61% increase compared to €4.5m in the previous year.

In New York on Thursday, the Dow closed in the green by 1.9% at 50,848.75, while the Nasdaq finished up 2.5% at 25,809.66 and the S&P 500 ended 1.8% higher at 7,394.30.

Among Asian markets, the Hang Seng rose 1.5% to 24,611.00, the Shanghai Composite gained 1.1% to 4,031.51, while the Nikkei closed bullish, up 2.9% at 66,058.00.

On the currency front, the euro is trading at $1.1584 from $1.1520 on Thursday evening, while the pound is trading at $1.3420 from $1.3338 yesterday evening.

Among commodities, Brent is trading at $86.69 a barrel from $93.19 a barrel on Thursday evening, while gold is worth $4,223.70 an ounce from $4,079.48 an ounce at yesterday evening's close.

Friday's macroeconomic calendar includes Baker Hughes data on the total number of drilling rigs in the US at 1900 CEST, while at 2130 CEST, as is customary on Fridays, the COT Report will be published.

By Chiara Bruschi, Alliance News reporter

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