Prysmian slips on ex-dividend day as Iran tensions send oil surging - 20 April 2026

As of April 20, today’s news is still dominated by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, alongside developments in the markets and energy sector. Prysmian faced a slight decline of 0.3%. This comes also because eight companies, including Prysmian and major players such as UniCredit and Mediobanca, went ex-dividend, reflecting a ripple effect on Milan's stock exchange, where the main index fell by 1.36%. Meanwhile, tensions heightened in the Middle East as the U.S. government seized an Iranian cargo ship, threatening to derail a delicate ceasefire. Iranian officials condemned this action, asserting that it undermined diplomatic efforts and vowing retaliatory measures. The Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed skepticism about the U.S.'s commitment to peace talks, which are slated to possibly begin in Pakistan shortly. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that extending the ceasefire is "highly unlikely" if an agreement is not reached by the Wednesday deadline, underscoring that the Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until a deal is finalized. In the energy sector, global oil prices surged over 5% due to the potential collapse of the ceasefire agreement, raising concerns about supply disruptions through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, vital for nearly one-fifth of global oil transport. This price movement was influenced by decreased shipping traffic through the Strait, leading analysts to predict prolonged pressures on oil supply and pricing. In market developments, Italy's Eni celebrated a major natural gas discovery off the coast of Indonesia, boasting preliminary estimates of 5 trillion cubic feet of gas. This find has the potential to significantly increase Eni’s gas production capabilities in the coming years. Additionally, Turkey plans to leverage its presidency during COP31 to drive climate action, with financing for developing countries being a central focus. Furthermore, the International Energy Agency noted that the growth of renewable energy, particularly solar power, contributed to the slower rise in global emissions in 2025. This contrasts recent trends in advanced economies, where emissions have been creeping up due to increased reliance on coal amid high gas prices. Meanwhile, on the corporate front, German energy firm SEFE is planning a capital increase as part of its privatization process, emphasizing the urgency for reliable energy supplies amidst geopolitical tensions.