0902 GMT - Italian insurer Unipol could benefit from the consolidation of the country's banking sector as one of its assets, BPER Banca, launched a bid for another asset, Banca Popolare di Sondrio, Berenberg says. Unipol is the largest shareholder in both lenders, owning around a 19% stake in each. If the transaction is successful, Unipol's dividend could increase by around 5%, or an extra 0.05 euro per share, analyst Michael Huttner writes. "We calculate that Unipol...will see its dividend income from banking rise from EUR250m to EUR284m pro forma with regard to its FY 2025E dividends," he notes. Unipol shares edge up 0.4% to 13.83 euros and are up 15% year to date. (elena.vardon@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 12, 2025 04:02 ET (09:02 GMT)

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