FTSE MIB Extends Decline

Milan's FTSE MIB fell 0.7% to 49,398 on Thursday, extending losses as heavyweight financial and tech stocks remained under pressure. Chip stocks plunged as signs of persistent inflationary pressures increased expectations of elevated borrowing costs for longer and raised concerns over capital-intensive sectors, particularly the AI buildout. Technoprobe plunged 10.3%, while STMicroelectronics also fell sharply by 3.8% and Prysmian by 3%. Financials also tumbled, as higher borrowing costs weigh on credit demand. UniCredit lost 2.1% while it looks to reduce the risk of its target Commerzbank on €1 billion worth of German mortgages by transferring part of that risk to other investors. Fincantieri fell 1.3% as the firm is in the process of integrating AI in its shipyards. Leonardo rose 1.9% as geopolitical tensions continue to increase. Utilities extended gains while European gas prices declined, led by Snam (1.3%) and Terna (1%).