Erste Group has resumed its research coverage of Eni SpA and placed a buy rating on the Italian energy company. The move comes as the stock is trading close to its 52-week high of $43.72, with the current quoted price at $43.59.
The brokerage firm expects Eni to mitigate natural production declines from older fields by bringing new gas and liquefied natural gas projects online in 2026. Those additions, Erste Group said, should help offset output erosion and support the company’s cash generation profile.
Hans Engel, an analyst at Erste Group, described Eni as positioned to preserve strong operating cash flow while continuing its gradual transition toward greener energy activities. That assessment is supported by recent market performance metrics: a 54.1% price return over the past 12 months and a dividend yield of 3.86%, according to InvestingPro figures cited in the research note.
Erste Group highlighted the potential for larger shareholder returns in the form of increased dividends and an ongoing share repurchase program in 2026, while stressing that such moves will depend on the successful execution of the planned projects.
InvestingPro metrics referenced by the analyst further show that Eni has paid dividends for 30 consecutive years and reported recent dividend growth of 10%. The firm also trades on the Italian stock exchange under the ticker ENI:GR.
On valuation and momentum, InvestingPro Fair Value analysis indicates that at the quoted price of $43.59 the stock appears to be undervalued. Momentum is reflected in a 26.63% price return over the last six months, reinforcing the case Erste Group presented for a buy rating.
In separate corporate activity, Eni and CDP Venture Capital have jointly invested more than c500,000 in EXE Engineering. The stated purpose of that investment is to accelerate the startup’s development roadmap and to assist in expanding its projects into new operating contexts. While the sum invested is relatively modest, the transaction is framed as a strategic effort to foster technological advancement and to nurture emerging capabilities within the energy sector.
Erste Group’s recommencement of coverage, the cited operational plans for 2026 and the minority investment in EXE Engineering collectively underscore a dual focus: sustaining current cash flow and shareholder returns, while selectively supporting innovation through external partnerships. The firm’s outlook and the recent market data together form the basis for its buy recommendation.
Summary
Erste Group resumed coverage of Eni with a buy rating, pointing to planned gas and LNG projects in 2026 that should offset declines from older fields, maintain high operating cash flow, and potentially support higher dividends and buybacks, contingent on project delivery. Eni also made a small strategic investment in EXE Engineering alongside CDP Venture Capital.