The FTSE MIB gained 0.5% to close at 41,990 on Thursday, supported by broad-based buying across European stock markets as weaker-than-expected labor data fueled expectations of the first US Federal Reserve rate cut of the year at its mid-September meeting. Investors are now focused on the US upcoming August employment report, due tomorrow. In corporate news, Italian state-backed bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena (-2.3%) secured a 38.5% stake in rival Mediobanca (-1.9%), surpassing its minimum ownership target under the hostile bid. Meanwhile, Moncler (-2.2%) and Campari (-1.2%) fell amid slower eurozone retail sales in July, raising concerns that domestic consumption may struggle to offset the impact of US tariffs on economic growth. Telecom Italia (+4.9%) and Banca Mediolanum (+2.5%) led gains in the index.