Positive start for Piazza Affari amid quiet European bourses.

Around 10 a.m. FTSE Mib rises 0.3%, helped by momentum in some energy and tlc stocks, offset by negative tone in banks. Banco Bpm and Pop Sondrio the worst with declines between 1% and 0.5%.

Saipem (+3.5%) runs. In a note Barclays says the outlook for energy services companies continues to improve. Against this backdrop, the broker reaffirms its 'Overweight' rating on Saipem, while cutting its rating on Maire to 'Equal-weight,' while raising its target price to 9.5 from 8.3 euros. Maire gives up about 1 percent.

Back in light Prysmian (+2%), today helped by JP Morgan's resumption of coverage with '0verweight' after yesterday's 'Buy' from Jefferies.

Well Telecom Italia (+2%) after S&P Global last night raised the group's long-term credit rating to 'BB' from 'B+' following the sale of the network to Kkr.

Lively Webuild after announcing an agreement with Edison (flat) to develop hydroelectric pumping projects in southern Italy.

(Claudia Cristoferi, editing Stefano Bernabei)