FTSE MIB Trades Higher

The FTSE MIB rose to around 52,200 on the last trading day of September, supported by broad gains across financial and utility stocks. Among banks, UniCredit rose 1.1%, while BPER Banca and FinecoBank gained 1.6% and 2.4%, respectively. Intesa Sanpaolo also advanced 0.6%, while Banca Mediolanum and Mediobanca added 2.3% and 0.9%. In utilities, Terna rose 1.4%, Snam 1.1%, Enel 0.9%, Hera 1.7% and Italgas 1.3%. Meanwhile, Eni fell 1.0%, limiting the advance as energy stocks underperformed amid easing crude oil prices. The benchmark index is heading for a monthly decline while remaining higher for the quarter. On the data front, Italy’s business confidence rose to 91.9 in September, above expectations of 90.5 and the highest since April 2023, while consumer confidence fell to 91.2 from 94.5, below the forecast of 94.0.