Stock Markets March 19, 2026

Italian Stocks Retreat; Italy 40 Index Falls 2.35% to Three-Month Low

Telecoms, technology and industrial names lead declines as commodity and currency moves accompany the sell-off

By Maya Rios SPMI
Italian Stocks Retreat; Italy 40 Index Falls 2.35% to Three-Month Low
SPMI

The Milan market closed lower on Thursday with the Investing.com Italy 40 index dropping 2.35% to a fresh three-month low. Losses were concentrated in the Telecoms, Technology and Industrials sectors. Energy heavyweight Eni was among the few gainers, while Inwit plunged sharply. Commodity markets saw oil rise and gold tumble, and currency moves included a stronger euro against the dollar.

Key Points

  • The Investing.com Italy 40 index closed down 2.35%, hitting a three-month low.
  • Energy sector strength supported gains in Eni, while Telecoms, Technology and Industrials led declines with Inwit and Telecom Italia among the worst performers.
  • Commodity moves included higher oil prices and a sharp drop in gold; the euro strengthened versus the dollar.

Italy's equity market finished the trading day in negative territory on Thursday, driven by declines in the Telecoms, Technology and Industrials sectors.

At the close in Milan, the Investing.com Italy 40 fell 2.35% to register a new three-month low.

Top movers

  • Eni SpA (BIT:ENI) was the session's best performer, climbing 3.75% or 0.87 points to close at 23.93.
  • Nexi SpA (BIT:NEXII) advanced 1.91% or 0.05 points to finish at 2.88.
  • Saipem SpA (BIT:SPMI) gained 0.86% or 0.03 points to end the day at 3.41.

Largest decliners

  • Inwit (BIT:INWT) led losses, plunging 15.60% or 1.27 points to close at 6.90.
  • Telecom Italia (BIT:TLIT) dropped 5.70% or 0.04 points to 0.59.
  • Ferrari NV (BIT:RACE) fell 5.41% or 15.70 points to 274.30.

Across the Milan Stock Exchange, decliners outnumbered advancers by 498 to 146, while 44 stocks finished unchanged.

Several individual stock milestones were recorded during the session. Shares of Eni rose to five-year highs, increasing 3.75% or 0.87 to 23.93. In contrast, Inwit shares fell to five-year lows after losing 15.60% or 1.27 to 6.90. Ferrari traded down to 52-week lows, declining 5.41% or 15.70 to 274.30.

Commodities and currencies

In commodities trading, crude oil for May delivery climbed 1.50% or 1.43 to $96.89 a barrel. Brent oil for May delivery rose 1.94% or 2.08 to $109.46 a barrel. By contrast, the April Gold Futures contract fell 6.23% or 304.95 to trade at $4,591.25 a troy ounce.

On the currency front, EUR/USD was up 0.77% to 1.15, while EUR/GBP unchanged 0.16% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.52% at 99.36.


This session's market action was characterized by widespread selling across several sectors, with notable divergence between energy names that rose and telecom and industrial stocks that slipped.

Risks

  • Sector concentration risk - losses centered in Telecoms, Technology and Industrials could pressure firms in those sectors.
  • Commodity price volatility - rising crude and Brent prices and a large fall in gold could influence earnings and asset valuations in energy and commodity-sensitive sectors.
  • Currency fluctuations - a stronger EUR/USD and moves in the US Dollar Index Futures may affect exporters and firms with currency exposure.

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