The following factors could affect Italian markets on Friday.
    Reuters has not verified the newspaper reports, and cannot
vouch for their accuracy. New items are marked with (*).
    
    For a complete list of diary events in Italy please click on
 IT/DIA .
    
    GENERAL
    Italy reported 492 coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday,
up from 467 the day before, the health ministry said, while the
daily tally of new infections fell to 14,372 from 15,204.
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nR1N2G801N
    
    POLITICS
    Former premier Matteo Renzi said on Thursday he was ready to
help form a new Italian government but would not commit to
supporting a fresh mandate for Giuseppe Conte, the man he
unseated this week as prime minister.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2K328S
    The head of Italy's coalition Democratic Party (PD) said on
Thursday he had proposed that the head of state give Giuseppe
Conte a fresh mandate to create a new government to overcome the
political stalemate.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nR1N2G801Q
    
    ECONOMY
    ISTAT releases December producer prices data (1000 GMT).
    
    COMPANIES
    MONTE DEI PASCHI  BMPS.MI 
    The state-controlled bank said on Thursday it would strive
to clinch a merger with a stronger peer before considering a 2.5
billion euro ($3 billion) cash call to rebuild its capital
reserves.   urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2K32HB  
    
    SALVATORE FERRAGAMO  SFER.MI 
    Sales at the Italian fashion group fell by 20% in the fourth
quarter, broadly in line with expectations, as new lockdowns in
Europe to fight a resurgence of COVID-19 more than offset a
strong rebound in China. Ferragamo, which according to some
sources could be looking to overhaul its management to turn
itself around before a possible sale, has been hit harder than
most rivals by the coronavirus pandemic. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2K3700
    
    LEONARDO  LDOF.MI 
    The Italian defence group said on Thursday it was set to
deliver on its promise of improved free operating cash flow when
it reports full-year results after a strong end to 2020 thanks
to its military and government business.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2K375N
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nFWN2K31HX
    
    CATTOLICA ASSICURAZIONI  CASS.MI 
    The Italian insurer on Thursday slightly improved its
guidance on full-year 2020 operating profit after reporting
steady revenues in non-life business despite the COVID-19
pandemic.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2K37EW
    
    JUVENTUS  JUVE.MI , LAZIO  LAZI.MI , ROMA  ASR.MI  
    Bids for the rights to screen Serie A matches in Italy over
the next three seasons did not meet a target on Thursday, in a
sign of lukewarm market reception for the sale amid the
coronavirus pandemic.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2K36F4 
    
    ALITALIA (unlisted)
    Italian trade unions on Thursday strongly criticised the
business plan presented last month for the launch of a new,
state-owned carrier that aims to replace ailing Alitalia.
 urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2K375F
    
    BPER Banca  EMII.MI 
    Extraordinary shareholders' meeting (0800 GMT).
    
    GEOX  GEO.MI 
    Releases preliminary FY results.
    
    DIARY
    24-hour national general strike.
    Rome, President Sergio Mattarella ends consultations to form
a new government.
    Online opening ceremony EMF-Executive Master in Finance 2021
with Intesa Sanpaolo COO Paola Angeletti and CFO Stefano Del
Punta, Snam  SRG.MI  CFO Alessandra Pasini, Enel CFO Francesco
Starace (0730 GMT).
    Webinar on "A European plan for an Italian digital agenda"
with Telecom Italia (TIM)  TLIT.MI  CEO Luigi Gubitosi (0900
GMT).
    Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation holds online presentation
on '2021 guidelines and 2021-2024 policy document' with
President Francesco Profumo, Secretary General Alberto Anfossi,
Intesa Sanpaolo  ISP.MI  CEO Carlo Messina (0900 GMT).
    Enel Green Power  ENEI.MI  new CEO and Head of Global Power
Generation Salvatore Bernabei presents recent developments on
renewables strategy (0930 GMT).
    Rome, Special Commissioner for the COVID-19 emergency
Domenico Arcuri holds news conference on activities to combat
and contain the epidemic (1030 GMT).
    Rome, Cabinet meeting on expiring legislative decrees (1200
GMT).
    Webinar on "Investment and work in the Next Generation EU
plan. A pact between generations for an inclusive economy" with
a speech by EU Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni (1400 GMT).
    
    
    ((Milan newsroom, +39 02 6612 9507, fax +39 02 801149, 
milan.newsroom@news.reuters.com))
    
    For Italian market data and news, click on codes in 
brackets:

    20 biggest gainers (in percentage)............ .PG.MI 
    20 biggest losers (in percentage)............. .PL.MI 
    FTSE IT allshare index  .FTITLMS 
    FTSE Mib index........  .FTMIB 
    FTSE Allstars index...  .FTSTAR 
    FTSE Mid Cap index....  .FTITMC 
    Block trades..........  .BLK.MI 
    Stories on Italy......  IT-LEN 
    
    For pan-European market data and news, click on codes in 
 brackets:
  European Equities speed guide................... EUR/EQUITY 
  FTSEurofirst 300 index.............................. .FTEU3 
  DJ STOXX index...................................... .STOXX 
  Top 10 STOXX sectors........................... .PGL.STOXXS 
  Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors...................... .PGL.STOXXES 
  Top 10 Eurofirst 300 sectors................... .PGL.FTEU3S 
  Top 25 European pct gainers....................... .PG.PEUR 
  Top 25 European pct losers........................ .PL.PEUR 
 
  Main stock markets:
  Dow Jones............... .DJI   Wall Street report ..... .N 
  Nikkei 225............. .N225   Tokyo report............ .T 
  FTSE 100............... .FTSE   London report........... .L 
  Xetra DAX............. .GDAXI   Frankfurt market stories .F 
  CAC-40................. .FCHI   Paris market stories... .PA 
  World Indices..................................... 0#.INDEX 
  Reuters survey of world bourse outlook......... EQUITYPOLL1 
  Western European IPO diary.......................... WEUIPO 
  European Asset Allocation........................ EUR/ASSET 
  Reuters News at a Glance: Equities............... TOP/EQE 
  Main currency report:............................... FRX/