Netherlands equities closed the trading day lower on Thursday as pressure in the Technology, Real Estate and Telecoms sectors pulled the benchmark down. The AEX index finished the session down 0.74% at the close in Amsterdam.
On the winners' side, Relx PLC (AS:REL) led gains on the AEX, climbing 4.11% or 1.14 points to finish at 28.90. Wolters Kluwer (AS:WLSNc) added 3.70% or 2.36 points to close at 66.10, while Randstad NV (AS:RAND) rose 3.06% or 0.83 points to end the day at 27.93.
Stocks that suffered the heaviest losses included BE Semiconductor Industries NV (AS:BESI), which dropped 4.40% or 8.70 points to close at 188.90. ASML Holding NV (AS:ASML) declined 4.35% or 56.00 points to 1,232.40, and ASM International NV (AS:ASMI) fell 4.15% or 30.60 points to finish at 707.00.
Market breadth on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange showed more advancing issues than decliners, with 54 stocks rising compared with 44 falling, and 12 ending unchanged.
The AEX Volatility measure, which reflects implied volatility for AEX options, was unchanged at 21.09, representing a 0.00% movement from its prior reading.
Commodity markets were mixed at the close. Crude oil for April delivery was up 1.68% or 1.10 to $66.52 a barrel. Brent oil for May delivery rose 1.98% or 1.40 to $72.09 a barrel. In metals, the April Gold Futures contract moved lower, falling 0.44% or 22.81 to trade at $5,203.39 a troy ounce.
In foreign exchange, EUR/USD was unchanged, registering a 0.19% move to 1.18, while EUR/GBP showed no change with a 0.29% movement to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures rose 0.16% to 97.78.
Market snapshot:
- AEX -0.74% at close
- Top gainers: REL +4.11%, WLSNc +3.70%, RAND +3.06%
- Top losers: BESI -4.40%, ASML -4.35%, ASMI -4.15%
- Breadth: 54 up, 44 down, 12 unchanged
- AEX Volatility: unchanged at 21.09
The session shows a divergence between selective stock-level strength among certain large-cap names and broader weakness concentrated in technology-related suppliers and other sectors. Commodities and currency moves completed a mixed picture at the close.