The FTSE MIB gained 0.3% to close at 42,566 on Friday, after the ECB decided on Thursday to keep interest rates unchanged and maintain an upbeat outlook on growth and inflation, leading traders to scale back expectations for further rate cuts. ECB policymakers flagged uncertainty over trade, energy prices, and exchange rates, keeping future rate options open. S&P Global Ratings placed Mediobanca’s ‘BBB+’ long-term credit rating on CreditWatch negative after Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) secured a 62% stake, citing potential short-term risks despite long-term benefits. MPS (+3.5%) and Mediobanca (+3.4%) led gains, followed by Enel (+0.4%) and Generali (+0.2%), while Stellantis (-1.8%) and Eni (-0.2%) lagged despite higher oil prices.