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Home > Finance > Leonardo chair rows back on Fincantieri merger comments

Leonardo chair rows back on Fincantieri merger comments

Published by Global Banking and Finance Review

Posted on January 20, 2026

1 min read

Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Tags:partnership corporate strategy financial community investment

Quick Summary

Leonardo's chairman clarified that his comments on a merger with Fincantieri were made jokingly, with no formal plans in place.

Leonardo Chairman Clarifies Comments on Fincantieri Merger Speculation

Clarification on Merger Comments

MILAN, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Leonardo's chairman on Tuesday rowed back on comments he made about a possible merger with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, dismissing them as a light-hearted quip.

Stefano Pontecorvo floated the idea of a future combination between the two state-controlled groups at a business conference in Milan on Monday.

The chair of the Italian defence and aerospace group was addressing an audience that included Claudio Cisilino, Fincantieri’s executive vice‑president for operations.

Context of the Remarks

"I made a quip, in clearly joking tones, about a possible merger between Leonardo and Fincantieri," Pontecorvo, a retired career diplomat, said in a statement.

The remarks "do not reflect any hypothesis currently under consideration and there are no formal files or dossiers relating to potential industrial operations" between the two firms, he added.

Current Cooperation Between Companies

Leonardo and Fincantieri cooperate on several programmes, but past discussions over deeper industrial integration have stalled amid political issues and diverging business priorities.

(Reporting by Cristina Carlevaro, editing by Alvise Armellini)

Key Takeaways

•Leonardo chairman clarifies merger comments with Fincantieri.
•Comments were made in a light-hearted, joking manner.
•No formal merger plans between Leonardo and Fincantieri.
•Past discussions on integration stalled due to political issues.
•Leonardo and Fincantieri currently cooperate on several programs.

Frequently Asked Questions about Leonardo chair rows back on Fincantieri merger comments

1What is a merger?

A merger is a business combination where two companies join to form a new entity, often to enhance competitive advantage, increase market share, or achieve operational efficiencies.

2What is corporate strategy?

Corporate strategy refers to the overall plan and direction of a company, focusing on long-term goals, resource allocation, and competitive positioning in the market.

3What is a partnership?

A partnership is a business arrangement where two or more individuals or entities collaborate to manage and operate a business, sharing profits, losses, and responsibilities.

Clarification on Merger Comments

MILAN, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Leonardo's chairman on Tuesday rowed back on comments he made about a possible merger with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, dismissing them as a light-hearted quip.

Stefano Pontecorvo floated the idea of a future combination between the two state-controlled groups at a business conference in Milan on Monday.

The chair of the Italian defence and aerospace group was addressing an audience that included Claudio Cisilino, Fincantieri’s executive vice‑president for operations.

Context of the Remarks

"I made a quip, in clearly joking tones, about a possible merger between Leonardo and Fincantieri," Pontecorvo, a retired career diplomat, said in a statement.

The remarks "do not reflect any hypothesis currently under consideration and there are no formal files or dossiers relating to potential industrial operations" between the two firms, he added.

Current Cooperation Between Companies

Leonardo and Fincantieri cooperate on several programmes, but past discussions over deeper industrial integration have stalled amid political issues and diverging business priorities.

(Reporting by Cristina Carlevaro, editing by Alvise Armellini)

Key Takeaways

•Leonardo chairman clarifies merger comments with Fincantieri.

•Comments were made in a light-hearted, joking manner.

•No formal merger plans between Leonardo and Fincantieri.

•Past discussions on integration stalled due to political issues.

•Leonardo and Fincantieri currently cooperate on several programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1What is a merger?

A merger is a business combination where two companies join to form a new entity, often to enhance competitive advantage, increase market share, or achieve operational efficiencies.

2What is corporate strategy?

Corporate strategy refers to the overall plan and direction of a company, focusing on long-term goals, resource allocation, and competitive positioning in the market.

3What is a partnership?

A partnership is a business arrangement where two or more individuals or entities collaborate to manage and operate a business, sharing profits, losses, and responsibilities.