Market close overview
Dutch equities finished the session on Thursday with the AEX index down 0.45% at the close in Amsterdam. Weakness across the Basic Materials, Healthcare and Industrials segments contributed to the retreat in the benchmark.
Top and bottom movers
The leading gains on the AEX were recorded by Relx PLC (AS:REL), which climbed 2.79% or 0.82 points to finish at 30.18. Universal Music Group NV (AS:UMG) added 2.57% or 0.49 points to close at 19.36, and IMCD NV (AS:IMCD) rose 2.04% or 1.46 points to end the session at 73.16.
On the downside, ArcelorMittal SA (AS:MT) fell 6.79% or 3.59 points to 49.31 at the close. Koninklijke Philips NV (AS:PHG) declined 3.36% or 0.89 points to close at 25.58, while Akzo Nobel NV (AS:AKZO) slipped 2.82% or 1.56 points to 53.84.
Breadth and volatility
Declining issues outnumbered advancers on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange by 64 to 32, with 10 stocks ending unchanged. The AEX Volatility measure, which reflects implied volatility in AEX options, was unchanged on the day at 21.09.
Commodities and futures
Energy markets moved higher in contrast to the equity weakness. Crude oil for April delivery increased 6.43% or 4.80 to settle at $79.46 a barrel. Brent oil for May delivery rose 3.81% or 3.10 to $84.50 a barrel. Precious metals traded lower, with the April Gold Futures contract falling 0.79% or 40.65 to trade at $5,094.05 a troy ounce.
Currencies
In foreign exchange, the euro weakened against the dollar, with EUR/USD down 0.45% to 1.16. EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.06% at 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures firmed, rising 0.51% to 99.24.
Summary takeaways
- Overall market fell with sector losses concentrated in Basic Materials, Healthcare and Industrials.
- Selective large-cap strength in REL, UMG and IMCD contrasted with notable declines at MT, PHG and AKZO.
- Commodities displayed mixed signals as oil rallied while gold retreated, and the euro softened versus the dollar.
The session left the AEX lower as divergent moves across equities, commodities and currencies shaped the market close.