(Finance) – In 2024 the total value of investments in joint-stock companies listed in Italy he touched the 661 billion eurosscoring a increase of 14.31% compared to 578 billion in 2023: almost 100 billion more in 12 months. Foreign investors consolidated their leading position with total holdings of 319 billion, up 20.49% compared to the previous year and equal to 48.28% of the total. Also families increase their share of total ownershipgoing from 70 to 86 billion euros, with an increase of 23.31% or approximately 16 billion more. Banks and insurance companies also recorded increases of 5.48% and 19.75% respectively, while social security institutions recorded an increase slight decline of 7.34%.
This is what emerges from a report from the Unimpresa Study Centre, according to which, in general, in 2024 the overall value of shareholdings in joint-stock companies in Italy is rose to 3,408 billion euroswith an increase of 98 billion compared to 2023, up by 2.95%. Businesses recorded the most significant change, increasing their share by 20.07% and going from 484 billion to 581 billion euros. On the contrary, families, while remaining the main category with a participation of 1,466 billion, saw their overall share reduced by 43 billion, falling to 43.02% of the total. Banks also recorded a decline, with a decrease of 7.86%, going from 457 to 422 billion euros. However, the presence of foreign investors is growing, increasing their share by 11.61%, reaching 726 billion euros, equal to 21.30% of the total.
“THE’increase in foreign shareholdings in Italian listed companieswhich rose by 20.49% and are now close to 50% of the total, is a strong and clear signal: Italy returns to being a attractive market for international investors. This result cannot ignore the political context. The stability guaranteed by the government in office led by Giorgia Meloni, with a clear economic vision and a declared commitment to market-oriented policies, has certainly contributed to strengthening the confidence of foreign investors. For many international funds and large institutional investors, the presence of a solid executive with a coherent line represents a decisive factor in evaluating the destination of their capital. However, this trust is also a responsibility for the executivewhich will have to continue to show balanced management and precise direction in reforms, avoiding sudden choices that could undermine the perception of stability acquired. In an increasingly competitive European and international landscape, Italy has the opportunity to consolidate its role as an investment hubbut only if it is able to maintain a climate of predictability and reliability, essential elements for capitalizing on the renewed international interest in our listed companies”, comments the president of Unimpresa, Giovanna Ferrara.
According to the report from the Unimpresa Study Centerwhich reworked the statistics from the Bank of Italycomparing the data for the first quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, the overall value of shareholdings in listed companies amounted to 578 billion euros last year, rising to 661 billion in 2024, with an increase of 83 billion and growth by 14.31%. The foreigners hold the largest sharewith a participation of 265 billion euros in 2023 (45.80%), which rises to 319 billion in 2024 (48.28%), marking an increase of 54 billion, equal to 20.49%.
The families, who held 70 billion euros in 2023 (12.07%), increase their share to 86 billion in 2024 (13.02%)with an increase of 16 billion, equal to a growth of 23.31%. Businesses recorded a more limited increase, going from 111 billion euros in 2023 (19.25%) to 114 billion in 2024 (17.33%), with an increase of 3 billion, equal to 2.87%.
The banks, with a stake of 93 billion euros in 2023 (16.09%), they see an increase to 98 billion in 2024 (14.85%), with an increase of 5 billion, equal to 5.48%. The insurance and pension funds increase from 6.3 billion in 2023 (1.09%) to 7.5 billion in 2024 (1.14%), with a growth of 1.2 billion, equal to 19.75%. The State and the Central Bank (i.e. the Bank of Italy) increase their presence, going from 29 billion in 2023 (5.03%) to 31 billion in 2024 (4.75%), with an increase of 2 billion, equal to 7.95%. . The local authorities they increase their participation share from 3.2 billion in 2023 (0.55%) to 3.6 billion in 2024 (0.54%), with a growth of 0.4 billion, equal to 13.43%. The social security institutions, instead, they recorded a slight decline, going from 0.6 billion euros in 2023 (0.11%) to 0.6 billion in 2024 (0.09%), with a negative variation of 0.05 billion, equal to a contraction of 7.34%.
More generally, in 2023, the total value of shareholdings in joint-stock companies is result equal to 3,310 billion euroswhile in 2024 it reached 3,408 billion, with an increase of 98 billion, equal to a variation of 2.95%. Families hold the most significant share, with 1,510 billion euros in 2023, equivalent to 45.60% of the total, but they drop to 1,466 billion in 2024, reducing their share to 43.02% with a decrease of 43 billion euros , equal to a decline of 2.87%.
Companies, on the other hand, increase their participation significantly, going from 484 billion euros in 2023 (14.63%) to 581 billion in 2024 (17.06%), with a growth of 97 billion euros, equal to 20.07%. Foreign investors are also increasing their presence, going from 650 billion euros in 2023, which represented 19.64% of the total, to 726 billion in 2024, with a share of 21.30% and an increase of 76 billion, equal at a growth of 11.61%.
On the contrary, banks see a reduction in their participation share, going from 457 billion euros in 2023 (13.82%) to 422 billion in 2024 (12.37%), with a drop of 36 billion euros, equal to to a decrease of 7.86%. Insurance and pension funds recorded a slight decline, going from 69 billion euros in 2023 (2.07%) to 67 billion in 2024 (1.96%), with a decrease of 2 billion, equal to a contraction of 2.42%. The State and the Central Bank (i.e. the Bank of Italy) they increase their presence slightly, going from 120 billion euros in 2023 (3.61%) to 125 billion in 2024 (3.67%), with a growth of 5 billion, equal to an increase of 4.60%.
Local authorities increase their participation from 13 billion in 2023 (0.39%) to 13.2 billion in 2024 (0.39%)with a positive change of 0.2 billion, or 1.32%. Social security institutions increase their participation from 7.7 billion euros in 2023 (0.23%) to 8.2 billion in 2024 (0.24%), with a growth of 0.5 billion, equal to 5, 50%.