Netherlands stocks finished the trading day higher on Wednesday as sector gains in Basic Materials, Technology and Consumer Goods pushed the market upward. At the Amsterdam close the AEX rose 1.67% to register a new all-time high.
On the AEX, ArcelorMittal SA (AS:MT) led the list of winners, climbing 8.03% - a rise of 3.98 points - to settle at 53.56. DSM Firmenich AG (AS:DSFIR) added 6.81%, or 4.36 points, to close at 68.40. ASML Holding NV (AS:ASML) also posted a strong gain, rising 6.18%, or 76.00 points, to finish at 1,305.00 in late trade.
At the other end of the spectrum, Wolters Kluwer (AS:WLSNc) was the session's weakest stock on the AEX, falling 7.33% - a decline of 5.02 points - to end at 63.42. Shell PLC (AS:SHEL) slipped 3.22%, or 1.24 points, to 37.15, and SBM Offshore NV (AS:SBMO) dropped 2.78%, down 1.02 points, to 35.66.
Advancers outnumbered decliners on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange by 71 to 34, while 2 stocks finished unchanged. ASML's share price reached an all-time high during the session, having gained 6.18% to 1,305.00.
Volatility and FX moves were mixed. The AEX Volatility index, which reflects implied volatility in AEX options, was unchanged at 21.09, registering a 0.00% change. The EUR/USD exchange rate was up 0.50% to 1.18, while EUR/GBP was unchanged at 0.86 with a 0.21% reading reported. US Dollar Index Futures traded lower, down 0.43% to 97.89.
Commodity markets showed pronounced moves during the session. Crude oil for June delivery fell 6.63%, a drop of $6.78, to $95.49 a barrel. Brent oil for July delivery declined 6.82%, or $7.49, to $102.38 a barrel. In precious metals, the June Gold Futures contract rose 2.76%, an increase of $126.16, to trade at $4,694.66 a troy ounce.
Summary of notable market data from the session:
- AEX index: +1.67%, new all-time high.
- Top AEX gainers: ArcelorMittal (AS:MT) +8.03%; DSM Firmenich (AS:DSFIR) +6.81%; ASML (AS:ASML) +6.18%.
- Top AEX decliners: Wolters Kluwer (AS:WLSNc) -7.33%; Shell (AS:SHEL) -3.22%; SBM Offshore (AS:SBMO) -2.78%.
- AEX Volatility: unchanged at 21.09.
- Commodities: Brent and crude down materially, gold up significantly.
Market breadth on the exchange favored advancing issues, and headline moves were concentrated in materials, technology and consumer goods names as detailed above. The session's swings in energy and precious metals prices were notable contributors to cross-market activity.