Weekend markets: Europe solid, Wall Street resilient, and corporate news leading the way

The financial week ended with an overall constructive outlook for global markets, supported primarily by corporate news and a sector rotation that brought investors' attention back to corporate dynamics rather than macroeconomic issues. Europe confirmed its strong technical position, while Wall Street continues to show resilience thanks to the resilience of the technology sector and the strength of the main US indices.

On the European front, the weekly close showed broad-based strength across markets. The Euro Stoxx 50 closed at 6,132.75 points, maintaining high levels and confirming the positive trend seen in recent weeks. The German DAX also showed stability, closing at 25,260.69 points, a sign of confidence despite the uncertainties surrounding European industrial growth. The UK FTSE 100 ended the week at 10,686.89 points, while the Italian FTSE MIB stood out among the main continental indices, closing at 46,472.98 points, supported primarily by financial, industrial, and energy stocks.

At the Milan Stock Exchange, corporate news drove much of the action. Eni attracted market attention thanks to its return to operations in Venezuela and a new discovery in Angola, elements that strengthen the group's international strategy and its exposure to areas with high energy potential. Leonardo continued to benefit from a favorable climate following the announcement of a new contract in Saudi Arabia, confirming the strong momentum of the European defense sector.

The Fincantieri case is particularly interesting, having been at the center of a highly volatile week: on the one hand, the positive outlook stemming from a major order from Norwegian, on the other, pressure from the capital increase, which caused sharp movements in the stock. The Italian banking sector also continued to play a key role, with UniCredit supported by analysts' positive assessments following its financial statements, and MPS at the center of the financial debate due to its proposed merger with Mediobanca and the prospect of delisting.

Among other notable stories in the Italian market, Recordati received favorable reviews for its financial results, while Unipol surprised with better-than-expected figures. Ferrari, on the other hand, strengthened its premium image thanks to the announcement of a strongly growing dividend expected for the next fiscal year. In the luxury sector, Moncler recorded new purchases after the publication of its results, confirming investors' interest in high-margin brands.

However, there were mixed signals. Prysmian was impacted by a downgrade from some analysts, while Enel experienced a period of weakness related to regulatory changes in the energy sector and the wait for the next strategic guidelines. Overall, the Italian market remains dynamic, with investors focused on selecting growth stories and companies with high industrial visibility.

Across the pond, Wall Street closed the week in positive territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 49,625.97 points, while the S&P 500 closed at 6,909.51 and the Nasdaq closed at 22,886.07, confirming the technology sector's leadership even in a context of increasing selectivity. The artificial intelligence narrative continues to dominate the markets, with Nvidia continuing to lead the way thanks to new developments related to next-generation chips and strategic partnerships in the AI sector.

At the same time, some signs of caution are emerging from the decisions of large institutional investors. Warren Buffett's recent moves, reducing exposure to some big tech companies like Apple and Amazon, have fueled debate about the sustainability of tech sector valuations, but have not affected overall market confidence.

The media sector also saw significant movement, with Warner Bros. Discovery rejecting an offer tied to Paramount-Skydance and opening the door to the possibility of a merger with Netflix, a scenario that could redefine the balance of the global streaming industry.

On the commodities front, the week was marked by a renewed interest in precious metals. Spot gold closed at $5,104.34, confirming its position as a safe-haven asset in a context where markets remain sensitive to corporate and geopolitical news. Silver also showed positive momentum, closing at $84.6450, benefiting from both its defensive component and the outlook for industrial demand.

The energy sector remained more stable: WTI crude oil ended the week at $66.24, while Brent crude held steady at $71.76, levels reflecting a balance between demand expectations and global supply dynamics. Natural gas also remains under special observation, but without any extreme short-term movements.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro stabilized against the dollar at around 1.1782, helping maintain a relatively calm environment on major currencies. Currency stability fostered a more orderly climate on stock markets, reducing pressure on sectors most exposed to currency fluctuations.

Overall, the week confirms a positive outlook for global markets, but with growing attention to the quality of individual company stories. Europe continues to show signs of strength thanks to the combination of energy, defense, and financials, while Wall Street remains driven by technology and innovation. In this environment, investor selectivity is increasingly evident: it's no longer the market as a whole that moves, but rather individual companies capable of delivering growth, strategic visibility, and solid results.

The weekly close therefore leaves a clear message: the trend remains favorable, but the real difference is made by corporate stories and the companies' ability to convince the market with credible strategies and solid numbers.