The FTSE MIB rose to around 52,580 on Friday, extending gains from the previous session and moving closer to its record high, driven by renewed enthusiasm for AI-related stocks while investors assessed a fresh batch of corporate earnings. Technology shares led the advance, tracking the global rally in the sector, with STMicroelectronics and Prysmian climbing more than 4% each. Defence company Leonardo also gained over 3% after reporting solid second-quarter results and raising its full-year 2026 guidance. Brunello Cucinelli also advanced more than 3% after reporting strong first-half sales and lifting its annual guidance. Amplifon surged 8% after posting its strongest second-quarter organic growth in two years. Meanwhile, most banking stocks also traded higher. For the week, the benchmark index is heading for its first weekly gain in four weeks.