Milan Stock Exchange Gains Amidst Global Uncertainty
Milan’s stock exchange demonstrated resilience on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, posting gains while other European markets remained cautious. The FTSE MIB rose by 0.72% to 45,745 points, breaking a five-day losing streak. This positive movement occurred against a backdrop of fluctuating global markets and geopolitical tensions.
Banking Sector Leads the Charge
The banking sector was a key driver of the Milanese market’s performance. Mediobanca saw a significant increase of 3.55%, while Banca MPS climbed 2.93%. Telecom Italia also contributed to the gains, rising 1.95%. Italgas followed with a 1.85% increase.
Geopolitical Factors and Market Sentiment
Negotiations between the United States and Iran commenced in Geneva, aiming to de-escalate potential military conflict. This development, alongside broader geopolitical concerns, continues to influence market sentiment. Investor confidence appears to be stabilizing after weeks of volatility, with anxieties surrounding the potential impact of artificial intelligence on traditional company margins easing.
Economic Data Points to Recovery
Italy’s trade balance showed a positive trend in December 2025, reaching a surplus of +6.037 million euros, compared to +5.147 million euros in December 2024. The energy deficit also decreased, falling to -3.755 million euros from -5.184 million euros a year prior. These figures suggest a strengthening Italian economy.
Sector Performance: Winners and Losers
While the banking and utility sectors thrived, some companies faced headwinds. Prysmian experienced a decline of 2.88% following a hold rating from Berenberg. Fincantieri also saw a 2.87% decrease, while DiaSorin and Leonardo experienced losses of 2.45% and 1.82% respectively.
Mid-Cap Market Trends
Within the FTSE Italia Mid Cap, ERG (+4.61%), MARR (+2.51%), MFE A (+2.31%) and Ascopiave (+1.87%) were among the top performers. Conversely, BFF Bank (-6.77%), Avio (-5.43%), Technoprobe (-4.15%), and Sesa (-2.51%) faced significant selling pressure.
European Market Overview
Across Europe, Frankfurt showed a modest gain of 0.21%, while London edged up 0.45%. Paris remained relatively unchanged. The euro/dollar exchange rate held steady at 1.184, and gold decreased to $4,925.6 per ounce, a drop of 1.34%. Light Sweet Crude Oil saw a slight increase of 0.52%.
Bond Market Stability
The spread between BTP and Bund remained stable at +62 basis points, with a slight increase of 1 basis point. The yield on the 10-year BTP stood at 3.35%.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What drove the Milan stock exchange’s gains on February 17, 2026? The banking and utility sectors, particularly Mediobanca and Banca MPS, led the gains.
- What is the current status of the US-Iran negotiations? A second round of negotiations began in Geneva to prevent potential military intervention.
- How did the Italian trade balance perform in December 2025? The trade balance showed a surplus of +6.037 million euros, an improvement over the previous year.
- Which sectors experienced losses on the Milan stock exchange? Prysmian, Fincantieri, DiaSorin, and Leonardo saw declines.
Pro Tip: Keep a close watch on geopolitical developments, as they can significantly impact market volatility.
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