PEERS & MARKETS

European stock markets were down in the week from 19th to 23d March 2012 (-3.5% Milan, London -1.9%, -2.3% Frankfurt, Paris -3.3%). Market sentiment was affected by the renewed fears of a weakening Chinese economy.

An increase in fuel prices operated by the government in Beijing (the second in the last 6 weeks) plus a warning on estimates of the auto market by Chinese producers’ association (probably less than 5% growth), weighted on the Auto&Parts sector, which was down by 4.7% in Europe.

Pirelli closed the week at € 8.83 (-1.8%) with an average daily traded volumes of approximately 5 million. Goldman Sachs (Buy, € 14.3) and Citi (Buy, TP € 10.5 from € 8.5) renewed the positive view on the stock indicating Pirelli as one of the few companies in the sector with room for upside in spite of the recent rally. The consensus target price now stands at € 9.85 with 91% of coverage with positive recommendations.

PEERS & MARKETS

The week from 12th to 16th March was positive for the main European stock markets (+3.7% Milan, London +1.3%, +4.0% Frankfurt, Paris +3.1%) driven upward by the release of the first tranche of aid to Greece from the EU and the positive macroeconomic newsflow. The Chairman of the Fed confirmed the willingness to keep interest rates low until 2014 despite the progress observed in the labor market and the better-than-expected US leading macroeconomic indicators (employment, consumer confidence, industrial production).

Another good performance of the Auto & Parts sector with an increase of +2.5% along with Industrials (+4.0%) and Banks (+5.3%).

Pirelli, after the publication of the annual results, ended the week up by +15.0% at 8.99€ with an average daily traded volumes of more than 12 million pieces, about three times higher than last quarter.

According to analysts reports, Pirelli closes the year with a “good set of results” in line with expectations. The upward revision of guidance on profitability surprised the market by offering room for upside to consensus.  The new targets, according to analysts, adds credibility to the business plan 2012-2014.

10 brokers have revised upward the valuation on the stock (TP) by an average of EUR +1.2. The consensus Target Price is now at € 9.70 with over 90% of coverage with positive recommendations.

PEERS & MARKETS

European stock markets were mixed in the week from the 20th to the 24th of February (Milan -0.4%, London +0.5%, Frankfurt +0.2%, Paris +0.8%), on lower European GDP growth forecasts (GDP -0.3%, inflation 2.1%) and another Greece sovereign debt rating downgrade by Fitch (to C from CCC). Equities trading was also negatively affected by disappointing European PMI data, down to 49.7, signaling a contraction in economic activity (expectations of 50.8).

Auto & Parts stocks performed in line with the overall market (European sector index down 0.4%).

Tyre stocks recorded losses in the week: Pirelli was down 2.9% at €7.925, similarly to Michelin (-3%) and Nokian (-1%).