Piazza Affari rises again today after three positive sessions that took the Ftse Mib index above the psychological threshold of 36,000 points.

Optimism also involves other European bourses despite the fact that caution prevailed yesterday on Wall Street and today in Asia as the world awaits Donald Trump's inauguration into the White House after the weekend.

Around 9:45 a.m., the Ftse Mib rose 0.8 percent, supported mainly by the jump of Stellantis to +3.7 percent, followed by Iveco's +2.7 percent. The automotive sector is also among the best in the rest of Europe. Stellantis continues yesterday's rise (+1.9%) triggered by estimates of fourth-quarter deliveries, down but a marked improvement over the previous three months.

Purchases, also today, on Campari, positive cues on Stm, up moderately on banks and energy.

Saipem reduces initial decline to a modest -0.5% despite a downgrade by Kepler to 'hold' from 'buy'. The group announced the sale of 10 percent in Kca Deutag to Helmerich & Payne (H&P) for about $89.5 million.

Maire's upgrade to 'buy' from 'hold,' also by Kepler Cheuvreux, however, pushes the stock up 7.8 percent.

(Claudia Cristoferi, editing Sabina Suzzi)