(Alliance News) - European indices are poised for a directionless opening on Wednesday, after weaker-than-expected US retail sales reinforced market pricing for Federal Reserve rate cuts by 2026.
Traders are now turning their attention to the delayed US employment report, due later in the day, while Friday's CPI and core inflation data could provide further signs of volatility driven by shifting expectations regarding monetary policy at the Eccles Building.
Thus, the FTSE Mib – after closing just below parity at 46,802.99 points – is giving up 52.00 points.
Among the secondary lists, last night, the Mid-Cap closed up 0.4% at 61,136.22, the Small-Cap advanced 0.5% to 37,003.95, while the Italy Growth index rose 0.2% to 8,736.44.
London's FTSE 100 is up 26.00 points, Paris's CAC 40 is down 19.00 points, while Frankfurt's DAX 40 is up 25.00 points.
Back in Milan, last night, Ferrari showed strength after its earnings, with the stock surging more than 10%. The board on Tuesday approved the 2025 results, closing with a net profit of EUR1.6 billion, up 5% from the previous year. The 2026 guidance targets EUR7.50 billion in revenues and a 39% EBITDA margin. Specifically, net revenues stood at EUR7.14 billion, up 7% and 8% at constant exchange rates.
Stellantis climbed 3.4% to EUR6.35 per share, attempting a rebound after Friday's disastrous session. Notably, on Monday, KGH set its short position at 0.50%.
Brunello Cucinelli was also strong, rising 1.0% to EUR83.14 per share after two bearish sessions.
Selling hit Banca Monte dei Paschi, which closed down 3.5% to EUR8.78 per share, after announcing Tuesday that it closed 2025 with a net profit of EUR2.75 billion, up from EUR1.95 billion the previous year. The board approved a dividend distribution of over EUR2.6 billion, or EUR0.86 per share, corresponding to a 10% dividend yield based on the February 6 stock price.
Unipol, on the other hand, closed down 2.4% after two bullish sessions, with a price around EUR19.58 per share.
In the mid-cap segment, Ariston Holding advanced 6.7% to EUR5.51 per share, positioning for its fifth consecutive bullish session. During trading, the stock hit a new 52-week high at EUR5.47 per share.
Salvatore Ferragamo, meanwhile, advanced 3.0% to EUR6.99, marking its fifth consecutive bullish candle.
CIR's buyback program continues, with the stock up 0.6%. On Monday, the company announced it had purchased 310,000 ordinary shares between February 2 and 6, for a total value of EUR215,000.
On a negative note, Moltiply Group ended the session down 6.4%, correcting after three consecutive positive sessions.
Webuild dropped 2.8% after three straight positive sessions, closing at EUR3.55.
On the Small-Cap, Seri Industrial gained 5.1% after a 5.8% increase in the previous session.
Tesmec showed strength, closing up 1.3% and notching its fifth consecutive bullish session.
Landi Renzo retreated 1.7%, following a more modest 0.3% gain the previous day.
Banca Profilo – flat at EUR0.17 – announced on Tuesday it closed the 2025 fiscal year 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.
Fidia, meanwhile, dropped 2.1%, after gaining 2.6% in the previous session.
Among SMEs, Friends advanced 5.2% to EUR1.30 per share, following a 3.3% gain the previous day.
Directa SIM closed up 4.1% at EUR5.64, building on a 2.3% gain from the previous day.
EdiliziAcrobatica – up 0.6% – announced Tuesday it closed 2025 with revenues of EUR166.7 million, up from EUR152.5 million the previous year.
Arterra Bioscience ended down 3.6% at EUR3.20 after a 2.5% gain the previous day. On Tuesday, it announced it closed 2025 with revenues of about EUR4.6 million, up 11% from EUR4.2 million as of December 31, 2024. The Services division's revenues rose to EUR686,050 from EUR653,760, and Cosmetic Raw Materials revenues increased to EUR4.0 million from EUR3.5 million.
In New York, during European evening hours, the Dow closed up 0.1%, the Nasdaq fell 0.6%, and the S&P 500 lost 0.3%.
Among Asian markets – where the Japanese market remained closed for a national holiday – the Shanghai Composite gained 0.1%, while the Hang Seng is up 0.3%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1913 from USD1.1901 at Tuesday's European equity close, while the pound is trading at USD1.3666 from USD1.3665 last night.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD69.38 per barrel from USD68.94 per barrel last night, while gold is valued at USD5,062.74 an ounce from USD5,019.53 an ounce on Tuesday evening.
On Wednesday's calendar, at 1000 CET, Italy will release industrial production data. Also from Italy, at 1110 CET, a 12-month BOT auction is scheduled.
At 1300 CET, from the US, focus turns to the mortgage market report, while at 1900 CET a 10-year T-Note auction is scheduled.
Among companies, results are due from Banca Generali, Banca Ifis, eVISO, Solutions Capital Management SIM, and Unidata.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2026 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.
