European Markets Set to Open Higher After End of U.S. Shutdown

(Alliance News) - Thursday, major European indices are expected to open in positive territory, according to IG futures, after President Donald Trump signed a bill ending the longest U.S. government shutdown in history.

The shutdown, which lasted 43 days, paralyzed Washington and left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay. The crisis, marked by an intense political standoff between President Donald Trump's Republicans and the Democrats, escalated into a fierce exchange of mutual accusations.

The House of Representatives, controlled by the Republicans, approved the Senate package to reopen federal departments, sparking anger among Democrats, who called it a surrender by the party's leadership.

The FTSE Mib is indicated up 0.3%, or 137.5 points, after closing Wednesday up 0.8% at 44,792.64 points.

Across Europe, London's FTSE 100 is seen up 0.2%, or 14.6 points; Paris' CAC 40 is expected to rise 0.3%, or 28.6 points; and Frankfurt's DAX 40 is forecast to climb 0.4%, or 90.0 points.

In Milan on Wednesday evening, the Mid-Cap index rose 0.4% to 57,999.13, the Small-Cap closed up 0.1% at 35,895.89, and the Italy Growth index ended fractionally lower at 8,500.00 points.

At Piazza Affari on Wednesday, the session was also marked by M&A speculation: Mediobanca ended up 3.0%, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena advanced 2.3%, and Unipol rose 2.2%.

Recordati performed well, gaining 2.4% to EUR53.45 per share after releasing nine-month results.

Generali -- up 0.9% -- reintroduced the role of general manager, appointing Giulio Terzariol, current CEO of the insurance business.

The appointment, the first move by CEO Philippe Donnet after the change of control at Mediobanca, is seen by some observers as a step toward succession, ensuring management continuity. The board, renewed last spring, remains stable despite Banca Monte dei Paschi joining the shareholders.

A2A's results, showing a net profit of EUR581 million for the nine months, down 19% from EUR713 million in the same period in 2024, triggered a 9.3% sell-off in the stock.

Stellantis, down 0.6%, sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative's Office requesting the new Trump administration review tariffs imposed on vehicles imported from Canada and Mexico that comply with the agreement's rules.

Leonardo -- up 0.5% -- completed the monetization of its stake in Avio, which fell 1.2% and now stands at 19.3% compared to the previous 28.75%.

Hera, which reported a nine-month net profit of EUR324.6 million versus EUR312.1 million in 2024, lost 1.0%.

Lottomatica, supported by a EUR16.00 million buyback, gained 2.4% to EUR20.70 per share.

Inwit shares fell 3.8%, hitting a new 52-week low at EUR5.10 per share.

On the Mid-Cap, Fincantieri closed the first nine months with revenues up 21% to EUR6.73 billion from EUR5.58 billion in the same period of 2024. Shares dropped 6.5% to EUR18.92 per share.

De' Longhi, sharply up more than 14%, reported a net profit of EUR187.6 million, rising 8.0% from EUR173.8 million recorded January-September 2024.

ENAV, up 1.3%, announced Wednesday it closed the first nine months with lower net profit, penalized by higher operating costs despite increased air traffic and strong cash generation.

Tinexta's board approved nine-month results, closing with a net loss from continuing operations of EUR16.5 million, compared to a loss of EUR9.3 million in the same period in 2024. The stock fell 0.3%.

doValue, among the session's worst performers with a 7.5% decline, reported nine-month results showing adjusted net profit of EUR11.6 million, up 140% from EUR4.8 million in January-September 2024.

Among small caps, Enervit Spa closed the first nine months with consolidated revenues of EUR77 million, up from EUR73.9 million as of September 30, 2024. However, the stock ended down about 12%.

Caleffi posted consolidated nine-month revenues of EUR41.9 million, up 19% from EUR35.1 million in the same period in 2024. The stock closed slightly lower, down 0.2%.

GPI ended the session down 17% at EUR14.86 per share. Over the past four weeks, the stock has fallen 14% but remains up 55% on a six-month basis.

OPS eCom stood out again, surging 47% to EUR0.17. Borsa Italiana announced that, until further notice, unlimited price orders will not be allowed on OPS eCom ordinary shares.

The Italian Sea Group reported net profit of EUR16.6 million, down 56% from EUR37.7 million in 2024, but confirmed its guidance. The stock climbed more than 17%.

Among SMEs, Banca Profilo sees growth potential in Markbass, which rose 8.7%, assigning a 'hold' recommendation with a target price of EUR2.50 per share.

Sicily by Car, up 2.6%, announced it closed the first nine months with production value of EUR133.0 million, up 16% from EUR101.7 million as of September 30, 2024.

Compagnia dei Caraibi signed an exclusive distribution agreement in Italy for the Licor 43 and Villa Massa brands of Spain's Zamora group, effective January 2026. The stock closed down 1.6%.

BackSpin has filed with Consob the document for the mandatory total public tender offer on Spindox Spa ordinary shares, with an offer price of EUR13.00 per share. Spindox closed unchanged at EUR12.95.

Growens saw strong buying, up 7.7%, after publishing nine-month results with consolidated revenues of EUR54.71 million, essentially stable compared to EUR54.70 million in the same period in 2024.

In New York on Wednesday evening, the Dow Jones gained 0.7%, the Nasdaq lost 0.3%, while the S&P 500 closed up 0.1%.

In Asia, the Nikkei closed up 0.4%, the Shanghai Composite ended 0.7% higher, while the Hang Seng gained 0.3%.

On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1590 from USD1.1591 at Wednesday's equity close, while the pound is at USD1.3114 from USD1.3130 on Wednesday evening.

Among commodities, Brent crude is trading at USD62.74 per barrel from USD62.80 at Wednesday's close, while gold is valued at USD4,211.80 an ounce from USD4,193.70 an ounce last night.

On Thursday's economic calendar, at 1000 CET, focus will be on the European Central Bank's monthly report, and at 1100 CET the ECOFIN meeting takes place, along with the release of Eurozone industrial production data.

At 1110 CET, attention will turn to Italian BTP auctions with maturities of three, seven, and 30 years.

Focus in the U.S. at 1430 CET with unemployment and consumer price data.

At Piazza Affari, nine-month results are expected from Enel, Ire, Terna, Webuild, and other companies.

By Antonio Di Giorgio, Alliance News Reporter

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