Italian Stocks - Factors to watch on Dec 29

MILAN, Dec 29 (Reuters) - The following factors could affect
Italian markets on Monday.

Reuters has not verified the newspaper reports, and cannot
vouch for their accuracy. New items are marked with (*).

ECONOMY

Forecasts for next year by the government expected in the
next few days could put the deficit at 3.5 percent of gross
domestic product (GDP), Il Sole 24 Ore said on Sunday without
citing sources. The newspaper added that "also according to
figures awaiting confirmation" GDP should contract 1 percent in
2009 after a 0.5 percent fall this year.

Italy's GDP could get a 0.7 percentage point boost from an
extra 16.6 billion euros of infrastructure spending which the
government plans to push ahead, Infrastructure Minister Altero
Matteoli tells Il Messaggero on Monday.

MEDIOBANCA (MDBI.MI), UNICREDIT (CRDI.MI), GENERALI
(GASI.MI)

The decision by one of UniCredit's biggest shareholders to
raise its stake in Mediobanca to 3.136 percent prompted
speculation it could herald further changes in the power
structure among leading banks and insurers [ID:nLR151899]

UniCredit's planned 3 billion euro capital hike will start
on Jan. 5, UniCredit said on Wednesday after the market
regulator approved the prospectus for its recapitalisation.
[ID:nLO224430]

CARLO TASSARA, BANKS

The holding company signed a definitive accord with its
banks to sort out its debts to them, newspapers said on Sunday,
after a board meeting that confirmed Pietro Modiano, former
director-general at Intesa Sanpaolo, as its new chairman.

FIAT (FIA.MI)

Italy is waiting to see what help the United States and
Europe plan for car makers before it decides on any action,
Industry Minister Claudio Scajola told Il Sole 24 Ore on
Saturday [ID:nLR160861]

TELECOM ITALIA (TLIT.MI)

The former telecoms monopoly has set up a disposals
department and reorganised its domestic and international
businesses in an effort to boost efficiency in 2009-2011.
[ID:nLO238412]

ENI (ENI.MI)

Italy's biggest oil and gas group Eni said on Friday it had
acquired six high-potential new exploration licences in Gabon as
it aims to expand in sub-Saharian Africa. [ID:LQ725252]

EDISON (EDN.MI), A2A (A2.MI)

A2A Chairman Renzo Capra said it would work with France's
EdF (EDF.PA) to resolve the "big problem" over a 10 percent
stake in Edison, where they are controlling shareholders, which
could come up for sale from financier Romain Zaleski's holding.

In an interview with Corriere della Sera on Saturday, Capra
said "we are equal shareholders (in Edison) with EdF and it must
stay at least like that ... any problems, we will sort out
together."

PININFARINA (PNNI.MI)

The car designer's board could meet on Monday as it works to
reach agreement with creditor banks, Il Sole 24 Ore said on
Sunday. La Stampa said on Sunday contracts with car makers Ford
and Fiat had to be clarified to see if their value needed to be
cut in 2008 accounts -- a move which could trigger the need for
a capital increase. La Stampa added that financier Vincent
Bollore had linked his commitment to a project with Pininfarina
on developing an electric car to the plans of creditors.
Corriere della Sera suggested a stake that Pininfarina had
offered to banks might be handed to an industrial partner.

* LOTTOMATICA (LTO.MI)

New Jersey plans to award the Italian gaming company's GTech
subsidiary a contract to provide an online and instant lottery
system. Revenues from the contract are expected to be $105
million over 7 years, the company says in a statement.

SEAT PAGINE GIALLE (PGIT.MI)

The debt-laden yellow pages company has reached an agreement
with top creditor Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) to relax
conditions on senior debt. [ID:nLN93014]

RISANAMENTO (RN.MI)

The real estate developer negotiated new credit lines and a
partial debt freeze and approved a 475 million euro site sale.
[ID:nLO332404]

TISCALI (TIS.MI)

The internet services provider will present its new
strategic plan in the first weeks of 2009 aiming to outline the
future of its activities in the United Kingdom. [ID:nLN698514]

DIASORIN (DIAS.MI)

Picked by Il Sole 24 Ore on Sunday for its "Letter to the
Investor" feature. The newspaper suggested Diasorin would see a
17 percent rise in revenues this year to over 240 million euros
with earnings before interst, tax, depreciation and amortisation
(EBITDA) over 80 million euros. In 2009, revenues could be near
290 million euros and EBITDA close to 100 million.

COFIDE (COFI.MI)

Spanish fund manager Bestinver has raised its stake in
Cofide, the holding company of prominent Italian businessman
Carlo De Benedetti, to over 12 percent from 7.6 percent, data
from Italian market regulator Consob showed.

Bestinver, owned by Spain's Entrecanales family which also
controls construction-to-energy-conglomerate Acciona (ACS.MC),
targets De Benedetti's energy company Sorgenia, Corriere della
Sera reported on Wednesday.

MITTEL (MTTI.MI)

The holding company said on Wednesday it has bought a nearly
39 percent stake in holding company Hopa paying about 49 million
euros to Hopa's parent company, Fingruppo, and banks Monte dei
Paschi di Siena BNPS.MI and Banco Popolare (BAPO.MI).