Prysmian backs dividend and buyback as aluminium hits four-year high - 16 April 2026

As of April 16, today’s news features Prysmian shareholders meeting and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Prysmian shareholders meeting approved today the resolutions in ordinary and extraordinary session. The 2025 financial statements were adopted, setting the dividend at 0.9 euros per share, for a total amount of about 258 million euros. Shareholders also renewed the authorization to buy back treasury shares for 18 months, capped at 10% of share capital. The 2026-2028 long-term incentive plan was endorsed, including a free capital increase of up to 4,000,000 shares. Finally, shareholders cleared a mandate for a paid-in capital increase within 24 months, up to 10% of share capital, equal to up to 29,640,380 shares, excluding pre-emptive rights. Turning to broader market updates, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to impact various sectors. Britain's government announced plans to abolish its carbon tax on electricity generation starting April 2028, aiming to mitigate soaring energy costs. The Carbon Price Support, introduced in 2013 to reduce emissions from power plants, is deemed no longer necessary, especially considering the substantial decrease in coal usage within the energy mix, as noted by official statements. Simultaneously, aluminium prices surged to a four-year high amidst fears of supply shortages caused by the Iran-induced crisis. The disruption in the supply chain, particularly from Gulf producers, points to a potential supply deficit of up to 4 million metric tons this year, raising concerns across multiple sectors reliant on aluminium. On the geopolitical front, optimism over a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is growing with recent diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, the U.S. President's remarks regarding the economic implications of the conflict highlight the rising gas prices that are affecting the U.S. economy, a focal point during Trump's campaign stops this week. Lastly, discussions have surfaced between Google and the U.S. Department of Defense regarding the deployment of Google's AI models in classified environments. This negotiation seeks to address the ethical use of AI, underscoring the intersection of technology and national security concerns in the algorithmic landscape.