Italy-US tensions flare as Prysmian target rises and gas risks grow - Apr 14, 2026

As of April 14, today’s news is dominated by mounting geopolitical tensions involving Italy and the US. Prysmian has garnered attention as Barclays raised its target price for the company to 119 euros from 112 euros. Meanwhile, in a six-minute interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Trump harshly criticized Giorgia Meloni, deepening their political split over Iran and the Pope, while Meloni also suspended Italy’s defense pact with Israel to show stronger opposition to the war. At the same time, Dmitriev warned that it may already be too late for Italy to restore Russian gas supplies. Turning to market updates, Britain's energy grid operators reassured the public that the country will have sufficient gas and electricity supply this summer, despite a backdrop of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East impacting energy supplies. National Gas's Glenn Bryn-Jacobsen highlighted that forecasts indicate the market can meet demand during the summer months, even amid challenges such as declining domestic gas production and disruptions in imports from Iran through the Strait of Hormuz. In broader energy market scenarios, BP anticipates exceptional results from its oil trading desk due to volatility in oil prices linked to conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the war involving Israel and Iran. Citi analysts have raised BP’s earnings forecast by 20%, expecting significant profits this quarter, reflecting a strong outlook for European oil majors engaged in trading operations. From the international front, the political landscape is evolving with Hungary's recent rejection of Viktor Orban, which is expected to positively influence both domestic and European Union markets. Orban's departure, combined with Hungary's strained relations with the EU, highlights a shift that may open up new opportunities for investor confidence within the bloc. In a noteworthy development, Amazon has agreed to acquire satellite operator Globalstar for approximately 11.6 billion dollars, a move aimed at enhancing its satellite capabilities and competing with other tech giants in the burgeoning satellite broadband market. This acquisition underscores the growing significance of satellite technology in global communications and logistics. Finally, as global energy prices continue to rise amid escalating geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict concerning Iran, consumers are feeling the pinch, which could heavily influence voter sentiment in upcoming elections. Rising electricity costs are emerging as a pivotal issue in the U.S. midterms, reflecting broader trends of discontent regarding energy affordability across various regions.