(Alliance News) – Major European indices are expected to open in negative territory on Monday after President Donald Trump announced his intention to block the Strait of Hormuz following the failure of US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad over the weekend, reigniting fears of a deeper global energy crisis.
According to sources, Washington is also considering new strikes against Tehran, as the diplomatic standoff ended without an agreement.
The US accuses Iran of refusing to abandon its nuclear ambitions, while Tehran reportedly set stringent conditions, including control of the Strait of Hormuz, war reparations, a regional ceasefire, and the unfreezing of assets held abroad.
The FTSE Mib is called down 0.9% or 405.0 points after closing Friday up 0.6% at 47,609.36.
In Milan on Friday evening, the Mid-Cap gained 1.2% to 57,240.40, the Small-Cap rose 0.7% to 33,992.05, while Italy Growth advanced 0.6% to 8,629.83.
In Europe, London’s FTSE 100 is forecast to open down 0.6% or 64.4 points, Paris’s CAC 40 is indicated 1.0% or 84.1 points in the red, and Frankfurt’s DAX 40 is expected to drop 1.5% or 361.5 points.
Returning to Milan, on Piazza Affari’s large-cap list, Buzzi led the gainers with a 5.7% advance on over 1.1 million shares traded, after shedding 1.1% in the previous session.
Brunello Cucinelli was also in focus, rising 5.3% following a decline the day before. The company announced it closed the first quarter with revenues of EUR369.1 million, up 14% at constant exchange rates from EUR341.5 million as of March 31, 2025.
Buying interest also hit Prysmian, which climbed 3.6% to EUR119.80. UBS confirmed its “buy” rating and raised its price target to EUR135.00 from EUR105.00, reflecting improved estimates and greater visibility on earnings growth.
Stellantis performed well, advancing 2.6% with 31 million shares changing hands. According to Il Sole 24 Ore, Italian production in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 9.5% to 120,366 vehicles. The Fim-Cisl report noted a 22% jump in the automotive sector, supported by the hybrid 500 at Mirafiori (up 42%) and the Jeep Compass at Melfi, where volumes nearly doubled.
On the downside, Fincantieri shed 1.9% and Avio lost 5.4%.
Leonardo closed among the laggards on the main basket, falling 5.3% to EUR56.31. UBS maintains a “neutral” rating and raised its price target to EUR64.00 from EUR60.00 in a first-quarter preview that highlighted an increasing focus on governance issues over short-term operational dynamics.
On the Mid-Cap, Alerion Clean Power closed up 7.0%, marking its eighth consecutive positive session.
Anima Holding, down 0.2%, recorded negative net inflows of EUR5.63 billion in March, penalized by a geopolitical climate that reduced retail investment appetite and by market declines impacting assets under management.
CEO Saverio Perissinotto emphasized that such effects may prove temporary. Total assets under management stand at EUR201.9 billion, rising to EUR203.3 billion when including assets under administration.
Banca Generali, down 0.1%, ended March with net inflows of EUR725 million, more than double the EUR360 million recorded in the same month of 2025, representing 101% year-on-year growth.
Reply gained 5.6% to EUR83.70. The company will launch a buyback program on April 13 for up to 3.6 million shares, or 9.6% of its capital, for a maximum value of EUR550 million.
Among the decliners, d’Amico shed 5.5% following gains in the previous session.
On the Small-Cap, among the most traded stocks by value, FILA closed up 1.0%, while Trevi Finanziaria Industriale fell 4.5%.
Gas Plus was among the worst performers, dropping 11% to EUR6.52 on turnover of nearly EUR8 million. Banca Akros confirmed its view on the stock but raised its target price to EUR8.00 from EUR6.50 in August 2025, citing results slightly above expectations and a “significant improvement in the net financial position.”
Borgosesia, flat at EUR0.70, announced that assets under management stood at EUR724 million in the first quarter, a 4.5% increase compared to December 31.
Among SMEs, ICOP advanced 4.0%, its third consecutive session in the green.
CleanBnB, down 0.3%, announced that its board reviewed management data for the first quarter of 2026. In the first three months of the year, the company continued its managed real estate portfolio activities, consolidated at 3,120 units across more than 100 Italian locations.
Lemon Sistemi fell 6.1% after announcing the signing of a contract with Alfa Graniti for the construction of two photovoltaic plants in the province of Ragusa, with a total value of approximately EUR1.5 million.
At the bottom of the alternative list, Growens lost 6.8%. The board of directors approved first-quarter 2026 data, highlighting operational dynamics supported by growth in the CPaaS line and the resilience of the SaaS business, despite the negative impact of currencies and the loss of a recurring revenue component linked to a large client.
In New York on Friday evening, the Dow lost 0.6%, the Nasdaq advanced 0.4%, while the S&P 500 closed down 0.1%.
In Asia, the Nikkei closed 0.8% in the red, the Hang Seng is down 1.2%, while the Shanghai Composite is fractionally lower.
On the currency front, the euro is trading at USD1.1693 from USD1.1726 on Friday evening, while the pound is at USD1.3411 from USD1.3463 on Friday evening.
Among commodities, Brent is trading at USD101.86 per barrel from USD96.85 on Friday evening, while gold is worth USD4,728.50 an ounce from USD4,768.33 on Friday evening.
Monday’s macroeconomic calendar includes data from China at 1130 CEST on new mortgages and outstanding loan growth.
At 1200 CEST, the Bundesbank’s monthly report is due in Germany, while International Monetary Fund summits are scheduled in the US.
At 1500 CEST, France will hold BTF auctions for 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month maturities.
At 1600 CEST, existing home sales are expected in the US.
The day concludes at 1730 CEST in the US with three-month and six-month Treasury Bill auctions.
No major corporate announcements are expected from Piazza Affari companies.
By Antonio Di Giorgio, Alliance News reporter
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