Stock markets today December 16: weak markets begin - la

Stay informed about the development of the stock markets in Europe, the world and Italy.

The last trading day of the week was marked by a lull in tensions between the US and Iran, but military options remain on the table, while technology stocks are starting to grow confidently again. Washington signed an agreement with Taiwan that reduces general tariffs from 20% to 15% and provides for important investments in technology and semiconductors. The agreement has the potential to warm relations between China and the US.Shares of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley posted significant growth after announcing a 35% rise in fourth-quarter earnings, pushing US stocks higher.

European stock markets close slightly lower amid global tensions

European stocks closed lower, ending trade without a particular outlook, with Wall Street trading slightly above parity. Global markets were cautious but were still influenced by technology stocks, which had a slightly less risky atmosphere after the easing of geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.

At the end of trading in Frankfurt, the DAX index was -0.30% at 25299.31 points, the Cac 40 in Paris -0.65% at 8258.94, the FTSE 100 in London was -0.06% at 10232.87 points.In Milan, Piazza Affari closed down -0.11 at 45799.69.

Annie begins deep drilling in Sidra Bay

Eni North Africa and its partners BP, the Libyan National Oil Corporation and the Libyan Investment Authority have started drilling for the first deep-sea exploration well near Sidranlahti.

This well named "Momul Al-Mutsulah" is located in the contract area 38/3 near the Sidra Canal.The water depth at the top of the well is approximately 1,900 meters (6,200).

feet) and the well is expected to reach a depth of 4,500 meters (15,000 feet).

President Trump: ``We can impose tariffs on countries that don't agree with Greenland''

Donald Trump does not rule out being able to impose customs duties on countries that do not agree with Greenland."I could impose tariffs on countries" that disagree with Greenland, which "we need for national security," Trump said.

The President is talking about TRAFF's threats like a leverage to avoid the MFN prices than telling Greenland.He calls it's Tarff King, Trump added "is adding" it's a "it's" it's for the land if the country do not win the frame in payment.

Trump: "Inherited disaster, but prices are falling"

"We inherited a disaster, but prices are falling."Donald Trump said as he attacked "corrupt politicians from Minnesota to California" for fraud in their states.The president then returned to criticizing Obamacare, which supported health insurance but did nothing for Americans.

Trump Announces $50 Billion Investment in Rural Health Care"

President Donald Trump has announced a $50 billion plan to provide health care services to rural communities.He added that former President Barack Obama "didn't care about rural communities, only the insurance companies." Trump's announcement comes after many hospitals in rural areas were closed due to the U.S. government's decision to cut spending.

“Prima vendita di petrolio venezuelano a società di un donatore” (FT)

The first sale of Venezuelan oil in the United States was made to a company whose largest oil trader donated to Donald Trump's election campaign and attended a meeting with the president at the White House last week.The Financial Times writes it.

Vitol's chief marketer, John Addison, gave $6 million to political committees to support Mr. Trump's return to the White House and was involved in his company's efforts to secure a deal for $250 million in Venezuelan crude.

Trafigura, another major global trading company, also bought Venezuelan oil for $ 250 million, the British newspaper reported.The company has spent $ 525,000 on lobbying in the United States in 2024 and 2025, according to OpenSecrets.

Wall Street opens higher on chip rally

Wall Street opened higher after TSMC's earnings on a strengthening chip market.The Dow Jones gained 0.05% to 49,466.7 points, the S&P 500 gained 0.23% to 6,960.54 points and the Nasdaq gained 0.47% to 2,3639.687 points.

"Paul assesses next move, not clear if he'll leave Fed in May" (AP)

Jerome Powell investigation points to next Fed chair movesThe Associated Press reports on its website.

Historically, almost all Fed chairmen also step down at the end of their term, but Powell could break with tradition and stay on, denying the White House a chance to win the central bank's majority.If Powell remains governor, Trump could appoint a new chairman and have three members on the Fed board, rather than the majority he wants.

Bank of Italy, Chinese competition burdens production

From our evaluationeconomic activity"Continued to expand moderately in the fourth quarterwith support from the service sectorEspecially those aimed at businesses.and industrial recovery" production trends"It is uncertain because Chinese competition in various sectors is intense."

Unstable Europe, the USA expects growth

A weak and volatile session in Europe contrasts with an expected rise in US markets led by technology stocks.This is the reading that emerges from the Nasdaq futures which rose by 0.13% an hour after the start of trading, while London fluctuates without knowing which direction to take, Paris falls by 0.7%, Frankfurt by 0.28% and Milan by 0.22%.

On the Piazza Afari list, Campari has run suddenly (+3.4%) while defense stocks have been strong since the morning.Thud for Cucinelli (-4%) and MPS (-2.9%) who are free from speculation.

"Powell investigation complicates search for Trump's successor" (WSJ)

The investigation into Jerome Powell is complicating Donald Trump's search for his successor at the head of the Fed. According to the Wall Street Journal, the investigation has actually angered many senators, including Republicans, and raised doubts about the independence of any candidate the president may choose.Two conservatives have already made it clear that they are not going to vote for any Trump nominee until the investigation is settled.

If confirmation of Trump's nomination in Congress becomes a referendum on Fed independence, Governor Christopher Waller - one of the four candidates for the nomination - may be favored because he has no close ties to Trump.Until now, the favorites in the race for the position of Fed chairman were White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett and former Fed governor Kevin Warsh.

By 2025, Porsche's deliveries to customers will drop by 10%

In 2025, Porsche delivered 279,449 vehicles to customers worldwide, compared to 310,718 in 2024, a decrease of 10%.This was reported by the German company itself.22.2% of vehicles delivered were fully electric models, while hybrids accounted for 12.1%: overall, electric motors registered a 7.4% increase.In 2025, for the first time, more electric models were delivered to Europe than models with combustion engines.

Caltagirone: "There has been no contact with Lovalio. It will be discussed in the executive committee."

"Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone has not been in contact with the CEO of MPS, Luigi Lovaglio, for several weeks."Now, in a note from the Caltagirone group after rumors in the press, including the Financial Times, about the possible dismissal of the CEO of the Siena institution also because of the "competition" between Lovaglio and Caltagirone of Caltagirone, the second "Monteabo" program.On the contrary, the note of the group of Roman traders continued, "What appeared in recent days in the press, shows the level of internal discussion in the MPS committee to decide quickly on two important issues: the corporate plan that the ECB needs within six months of the closing of the Mediobanco acquisition bid and the definition of the list of committee members with a view to its renewal".

"This alliance board, combined with the role of a major shareholder or its communication in Mediobanca Generali, is an instrumental interpretation that is only suitable for refuting the physiological dynamics of the MPS Board of Directors - of which, moreover, Cav. Caltagirone is not a member - suggesting an alleged conflict between the bank's CEO and his shareholders", the note concludes.

Campari flies and is suspended, returns to listing at +3.6%

Before the suspension, Campari stock briefly rose +5%.It then traded up more than 3%.

Intrum sells portfolios for 215 million

Intrum has entered into binding agreements with Brocc Finance AB, a subsidiary of Cerberus Capital Management, for the sale of the remaining 35% of portfolios currently in the joint venture with Brocc for approximately EUR 215 million, with an economic transfer date set for December 31, 2025. The transaction, the statement explains, is expected to yield a profit of approximately EUR 6 million.6 million euros. million euros at the end of the third quarter of 2025. The estimated EBITDA for the portfolios in 2025 was 10 million euros." This sale at a price above book value testifies to the high quality of Intrum's current investment portfolio, also supported by a consistent performance in debt collection above forecasts. At the same time, the transaction is fully in line with our strategy to reduce our liabilities and strengthen our balance sheet," says Johan Åkerblom, CEOand CEO of Intrum.Intrum will continue to manage the portfolios under the original five-year service agreement entered into in June 2024, with unchanged service fees.In addition, the strategic co-investment agreement with Cerberus entered into in April 2025 and acquired by Brocc in December 2025 remains in effect.

Chinese markets close lower

Financial markets in China closed today with a drop in prices, with the Shanghai index down 0.26% to 4,101.91 points.The Shenzhen index closed up 0.18% and stood at 14,281.08 points.The combined turnover of the two indices reached 3.03 billion yuan (about $432.38 billion), compared with 2.91 billion yuan the previous trading day.Shares related to semiconductors, storage chips and humanoid robots led gains, while oil and gas stocks and artificial intelligence applications suffered big losses.The ChiNext index, which tracks the Nasdaq growth companies board in China, lost 0.20% to close at 3,361.02 points.The Star Composite index, which reflects the performance of the China Sci-Tech Commission, closed with an increase of 1.63% at 1,855.03 points.

Country, inflation +1.5% in 2025

The inflation rate in December 2025 rose by 0.2% in November 2025 and 1.2% in December 2024 (from +1.1% in the previous month), preliminary figures confirmed. Istat announced. On average, consumer prices will rise by 1.5% in 2025 (+1% in 2024). Inflation excluding energy and fresh food (“adjusted inflation”) and non-energy inflation increased by only 1.9 on average% (+2% last year) and 2% (+2.1% in 2024), respectively.Price increases for food, household products and personal care products accelerated in December (+1.5% to +1.9%), as did the prices of frequently purchased items (+2% to +2.2%).

MPS yields 2.7%.

MPS shares lost 2.7% on the exchange to 8.93 euros after denials about Delfin's withdrawal and rumors of tension on the board of the Siena institute.Meanwhile, Unicredit rose 0.23% to €72.53.Meanwhile, Unicredit rose 0.23% to €72.53.

Ftse Mib, performance of securities in the beginning

The Milan Stock Exchange opened lower.Ftse Mib fell 0.19% to 45,761 points.Sales at Brunello Cucinelli (-1.6%), Buzzi (-1.5%), Tenaris (-1.5%), Mps (-1.2%).Positive: Diosorin (+0.79%), Lotomatika (+0.56%), Leonardo (+0.2%).

The Milan stock market was initially weak.

European stock markets open weak in the last session of the week.Ftse Mib lost +16%m at the start, and Paris, Frankfurt, London and Madrid are also negative.

Germany, December inflation + 1.8%

The rate fell below 2%, the neutral rate of the ECB, for the first time since September 2024, showing the second lowest rate since the beginning of 2021. The flow of goods decreased significantly, a decrease of 0.4% 1.1% in November, thanks to the increase in food prices (0.8-2%) and the decrease in the price of 1.% - 5.3 of electricity (-2.2%)moved.In contrast, the high cost of labor did not change at 3.5%, supported by a strong increase in travel (+ 11.4%) and social services (+ 8.7%).

Delphine in Parliament: "The sale of shares has never been discussed"

United States-Taiwan Agreement on Tariffs and Semiconductors

China's stock market ended in the negative

Despite the US-Taiwan trade deal, Chinese stocks ended in negative territory ahead of the release of fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 GDP data on Monday: the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.26% to 4,101.91 points and the Shenzhen Composite Index fell 0.126% to 0.12665 ​​points.

Gold and silver prices are falling

In Asian markets, gold prices continued to decline, with spot prices at $4,596 per ounce (0.42%) and Comex February futures at $4,600 per ounce (0.51%).Platinum and silver also continued to decline, falling to $23,359 (-2.22%) and $90.56 (-1.94%), respectively.

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, strong growth in earnings

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley announced record profits for the last quarter of 2025, matching Wall Street's best year for investment banking in four years.Goldman reported net income for the quarter of $4.6 billion, up 12% from a year ago, while Morgan Stanley saw profit rise 18% to $4.4 billion.Yesterday afternoon, shares of Goldman and Morgan Stanley hit record highs, with Morgan Stanley up by 5.7% and Goldman by 4%.