Prysmian launches ultra-dense fiber as inflation fears grip energy markets - Mar 4, 2026

As of March 4, today’s news highlights significant developments regarding Prysmian and ongoing concerns relating to energy and inflation amid geopolitical tensions. Prysmian has launched a new cable solution, the Sirocco Ultra, the first microduct cable featuring 160µm optical fiber. The cable will be an essential component in applications such as data centers, Fiber-to-the-x and 5G use cases which depend on high density data transfer, the company said in a statement. Meanwhile, Prysmian's share price continues to perform strongly, closing up 4.5% at 102.2 euros, contributing to a positive day in the Italian stock market. Furthermore, Prysmian has received a positive endorsement from Citigroup, which maintains a 'buy' recommendation and raises the target price to 113 euros from 102 euros following Prysmian's fourth-quarter 2025 results. In other news, NKT has signed a major contract valued at over 2.2 billion euros for the HVDC power cable system for the UK's Eastern Green Link 3. This project represents NKT's largest single cable contract and involves a comprehensive scope covering design, manufacturing, and installation across a 680 km route. Looking at broader macro trends, the European Commission is set to introduce local content requirements as part of its Industrial Accelerator Act to enhance the competitiveness of EU manufacturing and reduce dependencies on Chinese goods. This act aims to ensure that by 2035, manufacturing will account for 20% of EU national output, up from 14% currently. The proposal has faced delays and mixed opinions among stakeholders, reflecting ongoing concerns about economic competitiveness. Concerns about rising inflation and a prolonged Middle East conflict are also reverberating through financial markets. Increased fears of energy supply disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to recent volatility, with European gas prices remaining significantly elevated compared to recent averages. As aluminum supply constraints emerge due to halts in shipments from Bahrain and Qatar, analysts predict price surges, further complicating the economic outlook amid tensions.