(Alliance News) - European stock markets are trading in positive territory, bolstered by improving global sentiment linked to expectations of a potential de-escalation between the US and Iran and the subsequent easing of pressure on energy and inflation.
The primary driver remains the improving geopolitical landscape, with signals of a possible reopening of negotiation channels between Washington and Tehran following the failure of weekend talks and the announcement of a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz by President Donald Trump.
Energy price dynamics remain central to the market narrative. Although oil remains at elevated levels, the recent retreat from highs has helped reduce the inflationary premium embedded in curves, prompting a partial repricing of interest rate expectations.
In this context, the dollar index has stabilized at six-week lows, around 98.3, consistent with a rotation toward riskier assets and reduced demand for defensive hedging.
On the monetary front, statements by Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran have further eased fears of a persistent transmission of the energy shock to medium-term inflation, reinforcing the narrative that price pressures could converge toward the target within a year.
Consequently, the FTSE MIB is marking a 0.6% gain at 47,816.29 points.
Among the smaller indices, the Mid-Cap is up 0.9% at 57,565.63, the Small-Cap advances 0.8% to 34,110.36, while Italy Growth is up 0.3% at 8,682.94.
London's FTSE 100 is up 0.3%, the CAC 40 in Paris is up 0.5%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt marks a 1.1% gain.
Returning to Milan, Stellantis is up 2.9%. The company is initiating a corporate simplification with a planned merger by incorporation of its subsidiary Punch Powertrain PSA E - Transmission Assembly Italy into Stellantis Europe. As reported by MF-Milano Finanza on Tuesday, the operation aims to generate industrial synergies by centralizing activities related to the production of eDCT electrified dual-clutch transmissions for the group's hybrid platforms. As it involves a 100% owned subsidiary, the merger will take place in a simplified form, without exchange ratios.
Banco BPM, meanwhile, is up 0.2%. Of note, Goldman Sachs has cut its target price on the stock to EUR13.90 from the previous EUR14.30.
Telecom Italia is down 0.1%. The company announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement with Boost BidCo, a vehicle controlled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and participated in by Retelit, to extend the long stop date for the sale of Sparkle to October 15. Completion remains expected in the second quarter of 2026.
Nexi is down 0.6% at EUR3.43 per share. Notably, Citigroup has cut its target price to EUR3.40 from EUR5.00.
On the mid-cap segment, Cementir Holding is up 2.1% at EUR16.44 per share, following a 3.2% loss in the previous session.
Danieli & C - bullish with a 3.0% gain - announced Monday the signing of an agreement with Marcegaglia for the construction of a steel production and flat product rolling plant in Fos-sur-Mer, France, for a total contract value of approximately EUR450 million, including options and spare parts.
Revo Insurance Spa has not yet traded, with a last price of EUR22.90. Intesa Sanpaolo has confirmed its "buy" recommendation on the stock and raised the target price to EUR25.40 from EUR23.20. The analysis, authored by Emanuele Musio, emphasizes that the group is "built for long-term compounding," thanks to a distinctive technological model and multiple growth levers.
Ferretti, however, is down 0.4%. The partial tender offer launched by Karel Komárek for Ferretti Group has closed, collecting approximately 8.7% of the capital, equal to nearly 57% of the offer, bringing the total stake to 23.2%. The operation, conducted through KKCG Maritime, involved an outlay of EUR202 million to increase its stake to 29.9% from 14.5% in the luxury yachting group.
Pirelli is advancing with a bullish candle of 0.8%. The Chinese group Sinochem, through the vehicle Marco Polo International Italy, has challenged the restrictions provided by the Golden Power decree on Pirelli, arguing that such measures "prejudice the legitimate rights and interests" held as a shareholder under Italian corporate law and the company's bylaws. The group, which holds approximately 34% of Pirelli's capital, announced its intention to take legal action against the measure, deemed harmful to the prerogatives recognized to shareholders.
On the Small-Cap index, strength is seen in Banca Profilo, which is up 6.9%, bringing the price to the EUR0.16 area. The stock - which reports a market cap of approximately EUR110 million with a free float of about 35% - closed flat in the last session.
Softlab is up 6.5% at EUR1.06 per share, following a 6.5% loss in the previous session.
BasicNet - up 0.4% - announced Monday that it purchased 49,000 treasury shares between April 7 and 10 for a total value of EUR345,000.
Among the minority of decliners is I Grandi Viaggi, which is down 2.5% following a 0.8% loss the previous day, with the price in the EUR2.34 area. On the MarketScreener platform - based on a single analyst's valuation - the stock is valued with a target price of EUR2.40.
Among SMEs, High Quality Food is up 4.6%, following a 3.5% gain on Monday evening.
Lemon Sistemi is up 3.6%, bringing its gain over the last five sessions to 16%.
SolidWorld - not yet traded - is acquiring 100% of Miralis, in which it already held 22% since 2024, continuing its corporate rationalization process. The merger by incorporation of Miralis into the parent company is expected by the end of the current fiscal year, with integration as a business unit dedicated to advanced digitalization and PLM consulting activities.
At the bottom is Porto Aviation Group, which marks a 2.7% decline to EUR9.00 per share. Notably, since the beginning of 2026, the stock has increased its market cap value by nearly 40%.
In New York, during the European evening, the Dow closed up 0.6%, the Nasdaq up 1.2%, while the S&P 500 advanced 1.0%.
Among Asian markets, the Nikkei marks a 2.4% gain, the Shanghai Composite closed up 1.0%, while the Hang Seng is up 0.8%.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1786 from USD1.1706 on Monday evening, while the pound trades at USD1.3532 from USD1.3454 yesterday evening.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD98.27 per barrel from USD101.37 per barrel yesterday evening, while gold is worth USD4,777.60 per ounce from USD4,707.84 per ounce yesterday evening.
Tuesday's macroeconomic calendar includes the ADP employment report at 1415 CEST, while at 1900 CEST, Balz of the Buba and Barkin and Collins of the Fed will speak.
Among companies, results are expected from Bastogi, Telesia, Triboo, and Vimi Fasteners.
By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to redazione@alliancenews.com
Copyright 2026 Alliance News IS Italian Service Ltd. All rights reserved.
