Italian Stocks - Factors to watch on Aug 13

MILAN, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The following factors could affect
Italian markets on Thursday.

Reuters has not verified the newspaper reports, and cannot
vouch for their accuracy. New items are marked with (*).

BOURSE TRADING

The after-hours market is closed.

FIAT (FIA.MI)

U.S. auto sales may rise nearly 15 percent next year to
reach 11.5 million unit, an influential industry forecaster said
on Wednesday. Fiat acquired 20 percent of U.S. car maker
Chrysler earlier this year. [ID:nN12157278]

MEDIOBANCA (MDBI.MI)

The Italian investment bank has held informal talks with
Sal. Oppenheim about buying parts of the Luxembourg-based bank,
a source close to the situation told Reuters on Wednesday.
[ID:nWEA5980]

Mediobanca sold in July 25.4 million shares, or about 1.8
percent, in the capital of Assicurazioni Generali (GASI.MI) for
a value of about 365 million euros, according to a bourse filing
it made on Wednesday.

According to stock market regulator Consob's database,
Mediobanca is the largest shareholder in Generali with a 16.5
percent stake.

ERG (ERG.MI)

The refiner's shares closed down 2.2 percent on Wednesday,
underperforming its sector, after it forecast a 2009 net and
operating loss in its first half results statement and comments
in a subsequent conference call. [ID:nLC415184]