Middle East on one side, artificial intelligence on the other. They are the two drivers of the day who send European stock markets down, while Wall Street continues to be controversial. On the geopolitical front, the rumours published by the Wall Street Journal, According to reports, Donald Trump is considering a possible expansion of military operations against Tehran. At the same time, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains critical, where traffic has almost ceased, while Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi raises the alarm: “The new blockade will change the global energy landscape.”
If Sparta cries, Athens does not laugh, because even on the artificial intelligence front, despite the record results of Tsmc, the tension remains sky-high after the collapses of Nikkei of Tokyo (-2,79%) and of Kospi of Seoul (-6,3%), the latter weighed down by the two giants Sk Hynix (-11,5% in Seoul, -8% on Nasdaq) e Samsung (-8,77%).
In this context, European stock markets closed the session in the red, but far from their lows: Madrid loses 0,14%, Paris 0,1%, Frankfurt is the worst with a decrease of 0,5%. However, it is saved London which, following the painful elimination from the World Cup, is up 0,5%.
Milan recovers at the end of the session, marking -0,07% at 52.373 points, in balance between the boom of Fincantieri (+4,1%) and the crash of stm (-4,8%), penalized by the difficulties of semiconductors.
Wall Street opposed
Overseas, Wall Street is proceeding in a mixed fashion, with the Dow Jones that of 0,28% and the S & P 500 and Nasdaq which lose, respectively, 0,15% and 0,8%.
On the stock United health, which largely exceeded earnings expectations, is up 5%. Semiconductors are down: the VanEck Semiconductor ETF is down 1,4%, dragged down by the -7,8% of Arm Holdings. In deep red too micron Technology (-5,4%) And Nvidia (-2,9%), while Tsmc is saved (+1,8%) thanks to the quarterly results that were better than expected. Also noteworthy is the stock of Eli Lilly which gained 2,2% after announcing its acquisition of pharmaceutical company AtaiBeckley for $2,8 billion.
On the macroeconomic front, the retail sales rose by 0,2% in June, as expected, while jobless claims fell more than expected,
Anticipation for MPS is rising in Milan on the day of the board meeting.
At Piazza Affari all eyes are on Ps (-0,8%) whose board of directors, which met this morning, should soon provide an initial assessment of the offer. Intesa Sanpaolo (+0,8%). According to rumors, Siena's CEO, Luigi Lovaglio, is expected to reiterate that the bank's management has the duty to evaluate all available strategic options, including the proposal to Banco Bpm (-0,16%). The manager could also reiterate that MPS is worth more than the €30 billion put on the table by Intesa. However, the Milanese group's CEO, Carlo Messina, already retorted yesterday, calling it "reasonable."
Among the stocks involved in the risk game, the following also rise Generali (+ 2,24%), Unipol (+ 1,6%) and Unicredit (+1,6%). Yesterday, German Chancellor Merz said that the Berlin government is not and will not obstruct the takeover bid for Commerzbank, while reiterating his opposition to the methods used by Piazza Gae Aulenti in the takeover.
In stocks, purchases are rewarding Fincantieri (+4,19%) after Deutsche Bank raised its target price to 19 euros (from 18,5) ahead of the publication of its second-half results on July 29. Positive Moncler (+ 2,6%) and Stellantis (+1,6%) which in the first half of 2026 registered 1.370.000 vehicles in Europe, an increase of 3,8% on 2025.
On the sales front, in addition to STM and Prysmian (-2,2%), weighed down by chips, also lose ground Buzzi (-2,4%) And Saipem (-2,1%). Bad Enel (-1,5%). Post which will start with the takeover bid on Tim on July 20, it lost 1,8% while the telecommunications group dropped 1,5%.
Outside the Ftse Mib she is cautious Recorded: The board of directors deemed the tender offer price of 51,29 euros per share to be appropriate. Sesa -12,5%, despite the company having presented growing results for the 2025-2026 financial year.
Oil catches its breath, gas rises
After the surge of the last few days, the Petroleum catches its breath, with Brent remaining in the 85 dollar area per barrel and WTI remaining just below 80. The price of crude oil, however, continues to rise. gas, above $55 in Amsterdam today.
on the currency theeuro is stable above 1,14 against the dollar. On the rise spread between BTP and Bund which returns above the 80 basis points, compared to 78 points at the previous day's close. The yield on the benchmark 10-year BTP also rose to 3,94%, from 3,89% at the previous close.
