(Alliance News) - European stocks posted a slight decline at Wednesday's open, following a lackluster session the previous day, as investors continue to digest corporate earnings.
Thus, the FTSE Mib is down 1.0% at 46,339.08 points.
Among the smaller indices, the Mid-Cap is down 1.3% at 60,343.13, the Small-Cap is losing 0.7% at 36,733.84, while the Italy Growth index is down 0.1% at 8,730.14.
London's FTSE 100 is up 0.2%, while Paris's CAC 40 is down 0.4%, as is Frankfurt's DAX 40.
Back in Milan, among the minority of gainers is Telecom Italia, which is up 1.9%, continuing its upward trend.
Italgas is also advancing, up 1.4% after a 1.5% drop the previous day.
Ferrari is up 0.9% at EUR313.00 per share. It is noted that Deutsche Bank has raised its target price to EUR460.00 from EUR450.00.
UniCredit opened slightly in the green, up 0.1%. It is also worth noting that Andrea Orcel — as he himself stated — is ready to remain at the helm for a third term. "It will be up to the shareholders to decide if I will continue as CEO, but I am very enthusiastic," UniCredit's CEO told Bloomberg TV, confirming his willingness for a new mandate after 2030. Following the results of the Unlocked plan, he explained, a new phase is opening for him and his team, with the bank "enthusiastic and motivated" about upcoming objectives: "I have no other plans," he added.
Intesa Sanpaolo — down 0.9% — announced Tuesday it has placed a dual-tranche Additional Tier 1 perpetual bond on the institutional market for a total of EUR1.25 billion. This is the Additional Tier 1 issuance with the lowest Reset Spread ever, as the company explained in a note.
Recordati — down 0.8% — announced Tuesday it had purchased 60,263 of its own ordinary shares between February 2 and 6. The shares were bought at an average unit price of EUR47.4938, for a total value of EUR2.9 million.
On the Mid-Cap segment, Danieli & C is performing well, rising 2.0% and continuing its winning streak. The stock — priced around EUR67.40 — has increased its market cap by a third since the start of the year.
The board of Banco di Desio e della Brianza — up 0.9% — approved the 2025 accounts on Tuesday, closing with a net profit of EUR127.3 million, a slight increase of 0.3% over the previous year. The board also proposed a dividend of EUR0.5105 per share. Operating margin stood at EUR241.4 million, supported by growth in net commissions and partially reduced by a decline in net interest margin due to market rate dynamics.
BFF Bank, on the other hand, is retreating 4.4% to EUR4.54 per share. Deutsche Bank Research maintains a 'hold' recommendation on BFF Bank with a target price of EUR6.20, compared to a last closing price of EUR4.75. Analyst Giovanni Razzoli notes, among other things, that the lack of a dividend distribution was expected by the market. Delving into the numbers, the analyst highlights that "the Q4 2025 net loss of EUR37 million was largely in line with expectations and included, as anticipated, EUR95 million in extraordinary impairments for derisking."
Reply is down 3.2% at EUR95.50 per share. The company — with a free float just below 60% — closed the previous session up 1.8%.
On the Small-Cap, I Grandi Viaggi is up 2.5% at EUR2.45 after a 0.8% gain in the previous session. According to MarketScreener and based on a single analyst, the stock has a target price of EUR2.30.
Banca Profilo — not yet traded — announced Tuesday it closed fiscal year 2025 with a consolidated net profit of EUR10.0 million, up 7.7% from EUR9.3 million in 2024. In the fourth quarter alone, net profit stood at EUR600,000.
Caleffi is up 2.3% at EUR0.89, following a positive previous session that ended with a 2.1% gain.
Among SMEs, Friends is up 3.1% at EUR1.34, marking its third consecutive session of gains.
The board of Ubaldi Costruzioni — not yet traded — announced Tuesday an update to its order book and commercial pipeline as of December 31, 2025, which stood at about EUR212.8 million. The order book includes 54 active contracts, mainly in Central Italy, and shows strong diversification both in terms of type of work and client base: about 81% of projects concern public contracts, 16% private initiatives with public funding, and the remaining 3.1% private projects.
TraWell Co — flat at EUR5.85 — announced Tuesday the renewal of its concession to provide baggage wrapping services at Miami International Airport. As stated in a company note, the renewal follows the signing of an amended and restated lease and concession agreement with Miami-Dade County for the continuation of baggage protection services at Miami International Airport.
Kruso Kapital — flat at EUR1.65 — announced Tuesday it closed 2025 with auction sales up 150% over 2024, surpassing EUR36 million awarded compared to EUR14.5 million as of December 31 the previous year. The progress was driven in particular by the digital channel: the company's app counted over 19,000 registered users and more than 40,500 online bids during the year.
In New York, during the European evening, the Dow closed up 0.1%, the Nasdaq fell 0.6%, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.3%.
Among Asian markets — where the Japanese exchange was closed for a national holiday — the Shanghai Composite gained 0.1%, while the Hang Seng closed up 0.3%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1918 from USD1.1901 at Tuesday's European equities close, while the pound is trading at USD1.3690 from USD1.3665 last night.
In commodities, Brent is trading at USD69.40 per barrel from USD68.94 per barrel last night, while gold is valued at USD5,062.00 an ounce from USD5,019.53 an ounce Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday's calendar, from Italy, a 12-month BOT auction is scheduled at 1110 CET.
At 1300 CET, from the USA, focus will be on the mortgage market report, while at 1900 CET a 10-year T-Note auction is scheduled.
Among companies, results are expected from Banca Generali, Banca Ifis, eVISO, Solutions Capital Management SIM, and Unidata.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter
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