MILAN, Oct 2 (Reuters) - The following factors could affect
Italian markets on Friday.
Reuters has not verified the newspaper reports, and cannot
vouch for their accuracy. New items are marked with (*).
BANKS
European banks would be able to withstand a harsh recession
in spite of further heavy losses, EU finance ministers said on
Thursday, as they unveiled the results of stress tests on the
region's lenders. [ID:nL150246]
For more on the Ecofin meeting in Gothenburg [ID:nL185934]
* INTESA SANPAOLO (ISP.MI)
The bank is considering the sale of its insurance unit,
which could be valued at more than 3 billion euros ($4.37
billion), Il Messaggero newspaper said, citing a document
presented to the board on Tuesday. The sale would help bolster
capital ratios. [ID:nL272381]
* FINMECCANICA (SIFI.MI)
The group's Ansaldo STS unit (STS.MI) is confident of
winning an order of around $200 million for the Honolulu
underground, Il Sole 24 Ore said, citing the unit's CEO.
FIAT (FIA.MI)
Chrysler, the U.S. automaker in which Fiat has a 20 percent
stake, is in a "cleansing process," and its September sales are
not an indication of future results, said Chief Executive Sergio
Marchionne, who also heads Fiat. [ID:nN01281277]
Italy will extend its subsidies for the car sector if other
European countries do likewise, Industry Minister Claudio
Scajola was quoted as saying by several newspapers on Friday.
[ID:nL259401]
Chrysler's sales fell 42 percent in the United States in
September. [ID:nWNAB5300]
Italian car sales rose 6.77 percent in September with Fiat
taking a 31.52 percent share. [ID:nMAT011718]
In Brazil, the car maker's second most important market,
sales jumped 19.9 percent in September. [ID:nN01273579]
* UNICREDIT (CRDI.MI)
The bank is at the point of selling its 4 percent stake in
Spain's Banco Sabadell (SABE.MC), La Stampa said. It said real
estate assets the bank disposed of this week were sold at a
steep discount.
* BANCO POPOLARE (BAPO.MI)
The bank is heading to buy back two bonds from unit Banca
Italease (BIL.MI) and replace them with shares, thus generating
a small capital gain, la Repubblica said in an unsourced story.
ENEL (ENEI.MI)
A rival for a tender to build a 2,000 megawatt coal-fired
power plant in Kosovo said it was not satisfied with some of the
conditions. Czech power group CEZ (CEZPsp.PR) said it would pull
out if the government did not sweeten the deal. [ID:nL1690857]
SMALL AND MID CAPS
RISANAMENTO (RN.MI)
A rescue plan for the real estate company drafted by
consultants Bain & Co calls for construction of a 100,000 square
metres justice centre in Milan's Santa Giulia district, MF said,
citing the plan.
* Italy's tax agency has launched an inquiry into value-added
tax at the real estate company and creditor banks have set aside
a reserve credit line of 70 million euros over the issue, il
Messagger said in an unsourced story.
IT HOLDING (ITH.MI)
The consortium formed by Change Capital Partners and Usha
Mittal, wife of Indian tycoon Lashki Mittal, is favoured to
acquire the Gianfranco Ferre brand and business from the fashion
group, which is in administration, MF said.
ERG (ERG.MI)
The refiner holds a press conference in Berlin on its
strategy.
