(Alliance News) – European stock markets are poised for a cautiously positive open on Monday, according to futures trading, as investors keep a close eye on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which risks developing into a broader regional crisis.

Hostilities continued over the weekend, with both countries targeting energy infrastructure, fueling a further rise in oil prices. Iran has also threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.

Against this backdrop, market participants are shifting their attention to key economic data and central bank decisions expected this week. On Thursday, the Bank of England is anticipated to keep interest rates unchanged at 4.25%, as it continues to weigh persistent inflationary pressures against signs of economic slowdown.

The FTSE Mib, which closed down 1.3% at 39,438.75 on Friday evening, is currently marking a gain of 62.00 points.

Among other major European indices, London’s FTSE 100 is up by 14.00 points, Paris’ CAC 40 is advancing by 15.00 points, and Frankfurt’s DAX is rising by 40.00 points.

Among the smaller indices, on Friday, the Mid-Cap lost 1.3% to 53,687.61, the Small-Cap ended down 1.6% at 30,612.08, while Italy Growth finished the session down 0.7% at 8,049.07.

Among the blue chips on Piazza Affari, A2A closed Friday up 0.9%, recovering from a 0.4% loss in the previous session.

Saipem fell 2.3% to EUR2.34, following a 1.2% gain on Thursday.

Banca Popolare di Sondrio dropped 2.5% after raising significant doubts over BPER Banca’s takeover bid – which itself fell 1.3% – stating that the proposed valuation "does not reflect the real value of the bank." In contrast, BPER Banca defended its offer as "consistent" with its strategic direction.

Banca Akros commented on recent press reports regarding the sale of its stake in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena in November 2024, stating that, in its role as global coordinator and bookrunner, it conducted the operation properly and transparently. Shares of Banco BPM, which controls Banca Akros, closed down 1.4%.

Pirelli, whose shares closed down 1.6%, approved the new financial statements despite opposition from Marco Polo International Italy, the Sinochem-controlled vehicle holding 37% of the capital, shifting the internal balance of power toward the Italian side of governance.

Among the Mid-Caps, Ariston Holding – down 2.1% – signed a preliminary agreement to acquire 80% of ZRE.

d'Amico performed well, rising 4.9% to EUR3.63 per share, rebounding after three bearish sessions.

Intercos advanced 1.0% to EUR13.90 per share, marking its fifth consecutive positive session.

Industrie De Nora, however, fell 4.1%, closing with a bearish candle for the third session in a row.

Salvatore Ferragamo dropped 3.8% to EUR5.13 per share, following Thursday evening’s 2.6% decline.

Among the Small Caps, Class Editori posted an excellent performance, up 8.3% and marking its fifth consecutive positive session, with the price now at EUR0.1950.

Gas Plus closed up 7.9%, marking its third consecutive positive session.

Biesse – down 2.6% – announced Thursday that Massimo Potenza has resigned as CEO and General Manager, effective immediately, to pursue new professional opportunities. Biesse shares fell 2.4% to EUR7 per share.

Mondo TV ended the Small Cap list with a 9.7% contraction after five bullish sessions.

Finance for Food soared among SMEs, jumping 19% to EUR2.06 per share. On Friday, the company announced it had exercised its option to acquire an additional 29% stake in D&P from Aldebaran Investment, bringing its total holding to 80%. Specifically, 23.6% of D&P’s capital was contributed in kind by Aldebaran in exchange for FFF shares, while the remaining 5.4% was purchased for EUR500,000 in cash. To execute the transaction, the board of Finance for Food approved a capital increase in kind worth EUR2.2 million, including share premium, through the issuance of 558,375 new ordinary shares at EUR3.94 each.

DBA Group also posted double-digit gains, closing up more than 12% at EUR4.19 per share.

Simone – down 0.6% – announced Friday that its shareholders’ meeting authorized a buyback program for a maximum value of EUR450,000.

Doxee – down 0.8% – announced Thursday that Giuseppe Dal Cin has resigned from the board, effective immediately, for personal reasons.

On Wall Street Friday evening, the Dow fell 1.8%, the Nasdaq lost 1.3%, and the S&P 500 dropped 1.1%.

In Asian markets, the Nikkei is up 1.1%, the Shanghai Composite is up 0.2%, and the Hang Seng is gaining 0.2%.

In currencies, the euro is trading at USD1.1546, down from USD1.1562 Friday evening, while the pound is at USD1.3564, down from USD1.3594.

Among commodities, Brent crude is trading at USD74.63 a barrel, up from USD74.41 at the previous stock market close, while gold is at USD3,416.88 an ounce, down from USD3,422.73 Friday evening.

The economic calendar for Monday features Italy’s consumer price index at 10:00 CEST, followed by eurozone wage and labor cost indices at 11:00 CEST.

At 13:00 CEST, the OPEC monthly report is due, while at 15:00 CEST, there will be a 3-, 6-, and 12-month BTF auction.

At 19:00 CEST, a 20-year US Treasury bond auction is scheduled.

Piquadro is expected to report results on Piazza Affari.

By Maurizio Carta, Alliance News Reporter

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