The FTSE MIB rose 0.4% to close at 40,308 on Friday, outperforming other major European indices, amid positive corporate developments and strong sessions for the heavyweight financial and defense sectors. Hopes of a trade deal between the US and the EU also supported Italian equities. Iveco Group surged 8.3% after Reuters reported that Tata Motors approached Exor, which owns a 27% stake in the truck producer, to discuss a potential acquisition or broader partnership. Other notable risers included Leonardo (+2.8%), Amplifon (+2.5%), and Saipem (+1.8%), while Unipol jumped 1.6% to lead insurers. Also, BPER Banca and Mediobanca advanced over 1% as markets continued to assess the outlook of lenders' M&A. On the downside, Stellantis fell 3.2%, followed by Tenaris (-1.3%).