Milan’s stock exchange saw a rebound on Tuesday, March 4, 2026, with major indices posting gains of 1% to 2% after recent corrections. However, the positive trend wasn’t universal, as Banca MPS and Mediobanca faced downward pressure, while Lottomatica continued its upward trajectory and Maire performed strongly. The overall market sentiment reflects a complex interplay of factors, from global economic indicators to company-specific news, impacting investor confidence in Borsa Italiana.
By 4:20 PM local time, the FTSE Mib index had recovered 2% to reach 45,358 points, oscillating between a low of 44,328 and a high of 45,389. The FTSE Italia All Share index rose by 1.99%, with the FTSE Italia Mid Cap and FTSE Italia Star indices also showing positive momentum, increasing by 1.83% and 1.25% respectively. This broad-based recovery suggests a renewed appetite for Italian equities following recent volatility.
Beyond the Italian market, global trends also played a role. Bitcoin surpassed $72,000 (approximately €62,000), while the spread between Italian and German 10-year government bonds narrowed to below 70 basis points, with the yield on the Italian bond falling under 3.45%. The euro edged closer to $1.165 and gold prices dipped to $5,150, while silver fell below $84. These movements in global markets provided a supportive backdrop for the Italian stock exchange’s recovery.
Banking Sector Under Pressure
Despite the overall positive market trend, the banking sector experienced a mixed performance. Monte dei Paschi di Siena continued to face selling pressure, declining by 1.61% to €7.656. Mediobanca also saw a negative trend, falling 1.55% to €16.835. This downturn for both institutions contrasts with the gains seen in other parts of the market and may reflect specific concerns about their performance or outlook. However, BPER Banca and Popolare di Sondrio bucked the trend, with significant increases of 3.41% to €11.38 and 3.78% to €16.355 respectively, demonstrating resilience within the sector.
The recent announcement that Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena will fully integrate with Mediobanca through a merger, resulting in the delisting of the latter, may be contributing to the uncertainty surrounding these stocks. The merger aims to focus on corporate & investment banking and private banking for high-end clients within a new, unlisted company retaining the Mediobanca name.
Oil Sector and Individual Stock Movements
The energy sector also drew attention, with oil companies impacted by a slight decline in crude oil prices. ENI experienced a 0.62% decrease, closing at €19.916, as the price of crude oil in New York (April 2026 contract) fell below $75 per barrel. This price movement reflects broader trends in the global oil market and their impact on Italian energy companies.
FinecoBank emerged as a standout performer, gaining 0.36% to reach €19.51. This positive movement followed the approval of the company’s industrial plan for the 2026-2029 period, which outlined its financial targets and forecasts. Similarly, Italgas saw a positive shift, increasing by 0.38% to €10.45, driven by the release of its 2025 financial results, which reflected the consolidation of the 21 Rete Gas group.
Lottomatica and Maire Lead Gains
Lottomatica continued its strong performance, surging 12% to €23.68, fueled by positive revisions to its target price from several investment banks following the release of its 2025 financial results. This sustained growth highlights investor confidence in the company’s prospects. Ariston Holding also experienced a significant rebound, jumping 9.52% to €4.35 after a previous session of heavy selling.
Maire also contributed to the day’s gains, rising 5.95% to €13.89 after publishing its 2025 financial results and projections for 2035. These positive results and forward-looking estimates appear to have resonated with investors, driving up the stock price.
The Borsa Italiana’s performance on March 4, 2026, demonstrates a complex interplay of factors, with overall market recovery tempered by challenges in the banking sector and influenced by global economic trends. Investors will be closely watching for further developments in the banking sector, particularly regarding the integration of Banca MPS and Mediobanca, as well as ongoing trends in the energy and technology sectors. The next key event to watch will be the release of further economic data later this month, which will likely influence market sentiment and investment decisions.
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