The FTSE MIB index is currently trading higher, up 0.34% to 49,745.69 points, driven by rising consumer confidence in Italy, which saw its index climb to 93.4 in May. This positive sentiment, however, was somewhat tempered by mixed business confidence, with the overall Istat Economic Sentiment Indicator declining despite a slight increase in retail trade confidence. Geopolitical tensions, leading to a surge in oil prices after fresh US strikes in Iran, and expectations of an ECB interest rate hike also influenced the session, with bond yields edging higher.