Italian equities registered modest gains at the close on Friday, supported by strength in Healthcare, Industrials and Oil & Gas sectors. At the close in Milan, the Italy 40 index was up 0.18%.
Among individual stocks, Amplifon (BIT:AMPF) was the strongest performer, jumping 8.19% - a rise of 0.92 points - to finish at 12.15. DiaSorin SpA (BIT:DIAS) also posted solid gains, adding 4.21% or 2.90 points to end the session at 71.86. Luxury apparel maker Brunello Cucinelli (BIT:BCU) rose 2.95% - gaining 2.52 points - to close at 87.92 in late trade.
On the downside, Stellantis NV (BIT:STLAM) slipped 1.96% or 0.10 points to trade at 4.96 at the close. Gas utility Snam SpA (BIT:SRG) declined 1.80% or 0.11 points to finish at 5.89, and Italgas SpA (BIT:IG) fell 1.58% - down 0.14 points - to 8.95.
Market breadth on the Milan Stock Exchange favored advancers, with 443 stocks rising against 292 decliners while 55 issues ended unchanged.
Commodities showed mixed moves during the session. Crude oil for September delivery increased 0.95% or 0.79 to $84.38 a barrel, and Brent oil for October delivery rose 0.53% or 0.46 to $87.34 a barrel. Meanwhile, the August Gold Futures contract slipped 1.51% or 62.10, trading at $4,038.00 a troy ounce.
Currency pairs were relatively stable. EUR/USD was effectively unchanged, moving 0.11% to 1.15, while EUR/GBP was unchanged by 0.09% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures advanced 0.21% to 99.93.
Session highlights - top movers and market context:
- Top gainers: Amplifon (BIT:AMPF) +8.19%; DiaSorin SpA (BIT:DIAS) +4.21%; Brunello Cucinelli (BIT:BCU) +2.95%.
- Top decliners: Stellantis NV (BIT:STLAM) -1.96%; Snam SpA (BIT:SRG) -1.80%; Italgas SpA (BIT:IG) -1.58%.
- Breadth: 443 advancing stocks, 292 declining, 55 unchanged on the Milan exchange.
- Commodities & currencies: WTI and Brent oil both higher; gold futures weaker; EUR/USD and EUR/GBP little changed; US Dollar Index futures up.
The session painted a picture of selective stock-level strength rather than a broad-based rally, with healthcare and industrial names among the standouts while some large-cap industrial and utility names lagged. Movements in energy and precious metals prices, along with modest swings in major currency pairs, were notable market inputs during the day.