Italian Stocks Set Record After 26 Years of Waiting

The Italian stock exchange witnessed a historic moment on Monday, when its main index "FTSE MIB" broke the 50,000-point barrier for the first time, reaching a new record at 50121.2 points, up 1.2%. This achievement puts an end to a 26-year wait, since the index set its last record at the turn of the new millennium. STMicroelectronics topped the scene as the most prominent driver of this historic rise, jumping Its shares have increased by a staggering 156% since the beginning of this year. This exceptional performance was driven by the growing demand for semiconductor chips from technology giants such as Tesla and Apple, amid the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence technologies. It wasn't just the tech sector, it also extended to energy companies that made strong gains in tandem with rising oil and gas prices. Saipem shares registered growth By 73%, while Eni shares rose by 41% this year, which contributed to offsetting the decline of some other stocks in the index. With this achievement, the total value of Italian stocks has risen by 11% since the beginning of 2026, continuing a continuous growth path for the fourth consecutive year. This outstanding performance puts Italy ahead of its European peers, having been the only major market to trade below its benchmark level This development comes in the broader context of the post-pandemic boom in European markets, with major indices such as the European Euro Stoxx 50 and the German DAX setting new records, while the Spanish Ibex 35 regained its record last October, reflecting a state of optimism and renewed confidence in the European economy.