Stock Markets February 25, 2026

AEX Climbs to Record Close; Tech, Energy and Materials Lead Gains

Amsterdam benchmark advances 1.00% as select large-caps post strong finishes; commodities show mixed moves

By Derek Hwang
AEX Climbs to Record Close; Tech, Energy and Materials Lead Gains

Dutch equities closed higher on Wednesday, with the AEX rising 1.00% to reach a new all-time high. Technology, Oil & Gas and Basic Materials sectors supported the advance. Relx PLC, Adyen NV and ASM International NV were among the top gainers, while IMCD NV, DSM Firmenich AG and Magnum Ice Cream Nv finished lower. Commodities and currency benchmarks moved modestly, with crude easing and gold futures advancing.

Key Points

  • AEX closed up 1.00% to a record high, led by gains in Technology, Oil & Gas and Basic Materials sectors.
  • Top performers included Relx PLC (+5.63%), Adyen NV (+3.39%) and ASM International NV (+2.79%); laggards included IMCD NV (-2.78%), DSM Firmenich AG (-1.95%) and Magnum Ice Cream Nv (-1.25%).
  • Commodities and FX showed modest movement: April crude oil fell to $65.46/barrel, Brent rose to $70.62/barrel, April gold futures climbed to $5,232.66/oz, and the US Dollar Index Futures slipped to 97.58.

Netherlands stock markets ended the trading day higher on Wednesday as sector-level strength in Technology, Oil & Gas and Basic Materials pushed the AEX index up 1.00% to close at a fresh all-time high in Amsterdam.

Among individual names, Relx PLC (AS:REL) was the session leader on the AEX, gaining 5.63% - a rise of 1.48 points - to finish at 27.76. Payment processor Adyen NV (AS:ADYEN) added 3.39%, climbing 31.60 points to close at 964.10. Semiconductor equipment maker ASM International NV (AS:ASMI) gained 2.79% - up 20.00 points - to end the session at 737.60.

On the downside, IMCD NV (AS:IMCD) was the weakest among AEX constituents, slipping 2.78% or 2.24 points to finish at 78.22. DSM Firmenich AG (AS:DSFIR) declined 1.95% - a drop of 1.18 points - closing at 59.22, while Magnum Ice Cream Nv (AS:MICCT) fell 1.25% or 0.17 points to 13.63.

Market breadth on the Amsterdam exchange favored advancers: 58 stocks rose versus 40 that fell, and 9 were unchanged at the close.

Certain intra-session milestones were recorded. Shares of DSM Firmenich AG (AS:DSFIR) moved down to what were recorded as all-time lows, losing 1.95% or 1.18 points to 59.22 at the close. In contrast, ASM International NV (AS:ASMI) traded up to 52-week highs, increasing 2.79% or 20.00 points to 737.60.

Volatility measures for the index were steady. The AEX Volatility, which tracks implied volatility in AEX options, was unchanged - registering 0.00% to 21.09.

Commodity markets showed mixed action. Crude oil for April delivery eased 0.26% or 0.17 to $65.46 a barrel. Brent crude for May delivery inched up 0.06% or 0.04 to $70.62 a barrel. April Gold Futures recorded a stronger move, rising 1.09% or 56.36 to trade at $5,232.66 a troy ounce.

In currency and dollar measures, EUR/USD was unchanged 0.31% at 1.18 and EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.18% at 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures moved lower by 0.19%, standing at 97.58.


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Risks

  • Individual stock downside was evident with 40 decliners and specific names hitting weak levels - this could pressure sentiment in sectors such as specialty chemicals and distribution (impacted: Basic Materials, Industrials).
  • Volatility remained unchanged at 21.09, which leaves limited immediate reprieve from potential option-driven swings if market conditions shift (impacted: derivatives and risk-sensitive sectors).
  • Commodities showed mixed signals with crude slipping while gold strengthened, indicating uncertainty in commodity demand and safe-haven flows that could affect Energy and Materials sector performance.

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