The decree shows that Italy expects to collect a total of approximately 1 billion euros from 2026 to 2028 by increasing the industrial and commercial local tax (IRAP) in the energy industry.

Market news: European Central Bank executive member Schnabel believes there is no need to leave office early.

European Central Bank Executive Member Schnabel: The euro is increasingly acting as a safe haven and enhancing its global role.

The German DAX30 index closed up 264.43 points, or 1.06%, at 25,269.77 points on February 18 (Wednesday);The British FTSE 100 index closed up 131 points on February 18 (Wednesday) .73 points, an increase of 1.25%, to 10,687.90 points;The FCHI index closed up 67.57 points, or 0.81%, to 8,429.03 points on February 18 (Wednesday); The European Stoxx 50 Index closed up 80.81 points, or 1.34%, at 6,102.66 points on February 18 (Wednesday);The Spanish IBEX 35 Index closed up 240 points on February 18 (Wednesday) .36 points, an increase of 1.34%, to 18,195.76 points;Italy’s FTSE MIB index closed up 565.43 points, or 1.24%, to 46,329.50 points on February 18 (Wednesday).

The U.S. 4-month Treasury bond auction as of February 18 - the winning rate allocation percentage was 86.82%, compared with the previous value of 84.52%.

The U.S. 4-month Treasury bond auction as of February 18 - the bid-to-bid ratio was 3.15, compared with the previous value of 3.38.