Stock Markets February 17, 2026

Amsterdam benchmark edges higher as real estate, consumer goods and healthcare lead gains

AEX closes up 0.27% as Adyen posts the session's largest advance while several names hit record lows

By Marcus Reed
Amsterdam benchmark edges higher as real estate, consumer goods and healthcare lead gains

The AEX finished the session higher, rising 0.27% as gains in Real Estate, Consumer Goods and Healthcare offset declines in selected names. Adyen was the best performer on the index, while Magnum Ice Cream, DSM Firmenich and CVC Capital Partners were among the heaviest decliners. Market breadth favored advancing stocks and volatility measures on AEX options were unchanged.

Key Points

  • AEX closed up 0.27% as Real Estate, Consumer Goods and Healthcare sectors led gains.
  • Top gainers included Adyen NV (+4.24% to 956.90), Warehouses de Pauw (+2.40% to 25.58) and Exor NV (+2.06% to 71.70); top decliners included Magnum Ice Cream (-4.71% to 13.24), DSM Firmenich (-2.05% to 60.20) and CVC Capital Partners (-1.19% to 12.45).
  • Market breadth favored advancers (52) over decliners (40) with 7 unchanged; AEX Volatility remained unchanged at 21.09.

Netherlands equities closed higher on the day, with the AEX index up 0.27% in Amsterdam after a session led by gains in the Real Estate, Consumer Goods and Healthcare sectors.

Top and bottom movers

The strongest performer on the AEX was Adyen NV (AS:ADYEN), which climbed 4.24% - a rise of 38.90 points - to finish at 956.90. Warehouses de Pauw Comm VA (EBR:WDPP) also posted a notable advance, gaining 2.40% or 0.60 points to close at 25.58. Exor NV (AS:EXOR) added 2.06% or 1.45 points to end the session at 71.70.

On the downside, Magnum Ice Cream Nv (AS:MICCT) led decliners with a fall of 4.71% or 0.65 points to 13.24 at the close. DSM Firmenich AG (AS:DSFIR) declined 2.05% or 1.26 to finish at 60.20, and CVC Capital Partners PLC (AS:CVC) slipped 1.19% or 0.15 to 12.45.

Market breadth and notable price milestones

Advancers outnumbered decliners on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange by 52 to 40, with 7 stocks unchanged. Warehouses de Pauw Comm VA (EBR:WDPP) reached 52-week highs, rising 2.40% or 0.60 to 25.58. By contrast, shares of DSM Firmenich AG (AS:DSFIR) fell to all-time lows, dropping 2.05% or 1.26 to 60.20, and CVC Capital Partners PLC (AS:CVC) also hit all-time lows, losing 1.19% or 0.15 to 12.45.

Volatility, commodities and currencies

The AEX Volatility index, which reflects implied volatility in AEX options, was unchanged - 0.00% - holding at 21.09.

In commodities trading, crude oil for April delivery fell 1.15% or 0.72 to $62.03 a barrel. Brent oil for April delivery decreased 2.24% or 1.54 to $67.11 a barrel. The April Gold Futures contract declined 3.18% or 160.26 to trade at $4,886.04 a troy ounce.

On foreign exchange markets, EUR/USD was effectively unchanged at 1.18, a 0.14% move, while EUR/GBP likewise showed no material change at 0.87, listed as unchanged 0.55%. The US Dollar Index Futures rose 0.39% to 97.20.

Takeaway

The session closed with modest gains for the AEX supported by sector leadership in Real Estate, Consumer Goods and Healthcare. Broader market breadth favored advancing names, though several individual stocks recorded sharp losses and new all-time lows, and volatility measures remained steady.

Risks

  • Individual stocks recorded significant declines and some hit all-time lows, creating company-specific risk for investors in DSM Firmenich and CVC Capital Partners - impacting investor sentiment in Healthcare and financial sectors.
  • Commodity price moves, including declines in crude and Brent oil and a sizable drop in April Gold Futures, may add uncertainty for commodity-sensitive sectors such as energy and materials.
  • Concentration of gains in a few sectors - Real Estate, Consumer Goods and Healthcare - could leave the market vulnerable if sector-specific news turns negative, affecting related stocks disproportionately.

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