(Alliance News) - Major European indices are expected to open in negative territory on Thursday, as the market awaits a new interest rate decision from the ECB, with the first hike in nearly three years anticipated. In the Middle East, Iran has responded to a series of new American strikes by closing the Strait of Hormuz to 'all types of vessels', according to the Tasnim news agency.

Consequently, according to IG futures, the FTSE MIB is expected to open down 0.3% or approximately 145.0 points, after closing 0.5% lower at 50,029.17.

Paris's CAC 40 is forecast to drop 0.6% or 49.9 points, Frankfurt's DAX 40 is expected to decline 0.4% or 92.9 points, while London's FTSE 100 is projected to open 0.5% or 45.8 points lower.

Among Milan's secondary indices on Wednesday evening, the Mid-Cap finished slightly below par at 61,540.27, the Small-Cap rose 0.6% to 35,737.67, and Italy Growth closed up 0.4% at 9,138.93.

In macroeconomic news, the UK residential market survey conducted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and published Thursday showed that the house price balance stood at minus 35% in May, unchanged from April's slightly upwardly revised figure.

The result was worse than market expectations of minus 31% and remains the weakest level since November 2023, despite some emerging signs of stabilization.

Returning to Milan, among Piazza Affari's blue chips on Wednesday evening, Prysmian shed 4.3%, following a 4.2% loss the previous day, with a final price around EUR136.30 per share.

Stellantis saw an identical 4.3% depreciation, bringing its price to EUR5.77. Notably, the company announced on Wednesday the European launch of the next-generation Dodge Charger, 'one of the most iconic American muscle cars', the company explained.

Banca Monte dei Paschi fell 0.6% to EUR10.27, snapping a three-session winning streak. Speaking on the sidelines of a Senate hearing, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti reiterated the government's intention to exit the capital of Rocca Salimbeni, while emphasizing that any decision must respect public debt protection criteria, Ansa reported Wednesday.

'We have a stake, I have said it and I reiterate it, from which we obviously must exit, as with all banks', the minister stated, noting that the State also maintains holdings in other credit institutions. Giorgetti explained that the choice of any potential buyer will be guided by the economic value of the transaction for the public coffers.

On the gainers' side, Lottomatica rose 2.6%. The company continues its buyback program, announcing on Wednesday that it repurchased 180,890 of its own ordinary shares between June 1 and June 5, for a total value of approximately EUR4.7 million.

Eni - up 1.6% - announced Wednesday that it repurchased 4.3 million of its own ordinary shares between June 1 and June 5. The shares were bought at an average unit price of EUR23.1949, for a total value of approximately EUR100 million.

Leonardo - up 0.6% - announced Wednesday that it has been selected by the European Commission to develop SCOPE, one of the two specialized operational satellites for the In-Space Operations and Services program, an initiative funded under Horizon Europe and carried out in collaboration with the European Space Agency.

On the cadet segment, Banco di Desio e della Brianza performed well, marking its sixth consecutive session with a bullish candle, up 4.5%.

d'Amico International Shipping closed up 2.8% at EUR7.40 per share. According to Intesa Sanpaolo, the company continues to benefit from active fleet management; the bank maintains a 'buy' recommendation on the stock with a target price of EUR7.70.

Analyst Arianna Terazzi views the sale of the MR tanker High Tide, announced by the company for a consideration of USD28.5 million, positively.

Alerion Clean Power shed 0.9%. Of note, the company announced Tuesday that it has built and commissioned a new photovoltaic plant in Romania, located in the municipality of Răcari, with an installed capacity of approximately 51 MWp and an estimated total annual gross production of about 77 GWh at full capacity.

Salvatore Ferragamo lost 0.5% to EUR9.31 per share. Citi confirmed its 'neutral' recommendation on the stock and raised the target price to EUR9.85 from EUR7.50. According to analyst Thomas Chauvet, the new strategic plan has helped revive brand momentum and lay the groundwork for a gradual recovery in profitability.

The bank highlighted that retail channel growth at constant exchange rates accelerated from 4% in the third quarter of 2025 to 6% in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, supported by cost discipline.

On the Small-Cap index, Tesmec pushed its price forward by 10% to EUR0.27 per share, after five bearish sessions.

SS Lazio gained 5.1%, following a 1.3% loss in the previous session, with the price around EUR1.64.

Zucchi, meanwhile, fell 4.1%, bringing the price to EUR0.59 per share. The stock - which last paid a dividend in 2022 - now has a market capitalization of approximately EUR2.3 million, having lost over 25% since the beginning of 2026.

Eurotech retreated 0.8%, following a 4.8% loss in the previous session, finishing at EUR1.30.

Among SMEs, ATON Green Storage closed down 9.0%, bringing the price to EUR0.43.

eVISO - up 2.0% - announced Tuesday that eVISO LUZ Y GAS, a company incorporated in Galicia last April, has signed an agreement with a leading international reseller. The deal provides for the supply of both energy and sales support services for the Spanish market, contributing directly to the target of EUR500,000 in Gross Margin by 2027.

Rinascita Petino gained 1.4% after two lower closes. The company announced Wednesday the opening of a new Yamamay store in Monopoli, the seventh developed for the brand.

Casta Diva - down 1.3% - announced Wednesday the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding with Faalyat, a Bahraini group active in major events, entertainment, and content production. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to explore joint opportunities in large-scale events, video production, cultural activations, and intellectual property projects in Bahrain, other Gulf markets, and Europe.

In New York on Wednesday, the Dow closed down 1.9% at 49,918.78, while the Nasdaq finished 2.0% lower at 25,169.50 and the S&P 500 closed down 1.6% at 7,266.99.

In Asian markets, the Hang Seng is currently down 1.1%, the Shanghai Composite is losing 0.3%, while the Nikkei is flat at 64,206.00.

On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1544 from USD1.1553 on Wednesday evening, while the pound is trading at USD1.3378 from USD1.3381 last night.

Among commodities, Brent crude is trading at USD93.68 per barrel from USD90.83 on Wednesday evening, while gold is valued at USD4,102.70 an ounce from USD4,268.60 at yesterday's close.

Thursday's macroeconomic calendar includes a three- and seven-year BTP auction from Italy at 1130 CEST, while at 1415 CEST the European Central Bank will announce its interest rate decision.

At 1430 CEST, the US will release producer price inflation data and jobless claims figures.

On the Piazza Affari corporate calendar, no major announcements are expected.

By Claudia Cavaliere, Alliance News reporter

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