Amsterdam closed the week with a modest rally as the AEX index ended up 0.29% on Friday. Sector-level strength in Basic Materials, Consumer Services and Financials was the main driver of the session's gains.
Among individual stocks, ArcelorMittal SA (AS:MT) was the session's top performer on the AEX, climbing 2.32% or 1.42 points to finish at 62.58. Exor NV (AS:EXOR) also advanced, adding 2.15% or 1.50 points to close at 71.20. Prosus (AS:PRX) rose 1.81% or 0.68 points to end the trading day at 38.30.
On the downside, SBM Offshore NV (AS:SBMO) led decliners, slipping 2.21% or 0.78 points to close at 34.44. Universal Music Group NV (AS:UMG) fell 1.14% or 0.17 points to 14.73, while Shell PLC (AS:SHEL) declined 0.92% or 0.37 points to end the session at 39.91.
Market breadth in Amsterdam favored advancers: 57 stocks rose versus 35 that fell, and 12 issues finished unchanged.
The AEX Volatility gauge, which reflects implied volatility in AEX options, was unchanged on the day at 21.09.
Commodities showed general strength. Crude oil for October delivery increased 0.15% or 0.13 to trade at $86.96 a barrel. Brent oil for October delivery rose 0.66% or 0.62 to $94.40 a barrel. Precious metals also moved higher, with the December Gold Futures contract up 2.23% or 101.96 to trade at $4,673.36 a troy ounce.
Major currency pairs were largely unchanged in the session: EUR/USD was essentially flat, up 0.03% to 1.17, while EUR/GBP was unchanged, moving 0.04% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures (DX) traded lower, down 0.08% at 98.74.
Close-of-day snapshot:
- AEX: +0.29%
- Top AEX gainers: ArcelorMittal SA (AS:MT) +2.32%, Exor NV (AS:EXOR) +2.15%, Prosus (AS:PRX) +1.81%
- Top AEX decliners: SBM Offshore NV (AS:SBMO) -2.21%, Universal Music Group NV (AS:UMG) -1.14%, Shell PLC (AS:SHEL) -0.92%
- Commodities: Crude (Oct) $86.96 (+0.15%), Brent (Oct) $94.40 (+0.66%), Gold (Dec) $4,673.36 (+2.23%)
- FX: EUR/USD 1.17 (+0.03%), EUR/GBP 0.86 (+0.04%), US Dollar Index Futures 98.74 (-0.08%)
This session's market action left the AEX slightly higher as sector gains offset pressure on several large-cap names. Volatility as measured by AEX option-implied levels remained steady at 21.09.