Italy's Avio jumps after CEO flags surging missile demand

Avio SpA

13/03/2026 09:05

** Shares of rocket maker Avio AVI.MI rise as much as 8.4% after CEO flags increasing missile demand

** "In Europe and in the U.S. there is a concrete expectation for far more demand than we had anticipated, probably 2 or 3 times more" - Avio CEO Giulio Ranzo in post-results call to analysts on Thursday evening

** Avio's 2026 order intake forecast was "excessively conservative", brokerage Equita notes while upgrading stock to "buy" from "hold"

** Call confirmed "significant caution" baked into Avio's 2026 guidance, but current events point to material upside to group's mid-term targets, Jefferies says

** AVI plunged as much as 16% on Thursday after FY results and 2026 guidance announcement

** YTD, stock up nearly 21%, including Friday's rise

(Reporting by Philippe Leroy Beaulieu in Gdansk)

((Philippe.leroybeaulieu@thomsonreuters.com))