Stocks listed on the Amsterdam exchange finished the trading day in negative territory on Thursday, as pressure from the Basic Materials, Healthcare and Financials sectors pushed the AEX down 0.28% at the close.
Among the index constituents, Relx PLC (AS:REL) was the session's strongest performer, finishing up 2.41% - a gain of 0.62 points - to close at 26.38. Magnum Ice Cream Nv (AS:MICCT) advanced 1.60%, adding 0.22 points to end the session at 13.69. Universal Music Group NV (AS:UMG) also posted a positive result, rising 1.41% or 0.27 points to reach 19.42 in late trade.
On the downside, BE Semiconductor Industries NV (AS:BESI) recorded the largest decline among AEX names, falling 7.49% - a drop of 14.00 points - to finish at 173.00 at the close. Aegon Ltd (AS:AEGN) retreated 5.69%, losing 0.38 points to end at 6.24, while CVC Capital Partners PLC (AS:CVC) slipped 3.26% or 0.42 points to close at 12.45.
Market breadth on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange tilted toward losers, with falling stocks outnumbering advancers by 54 to 44; 11 issues finished unchanged.
Investors also saw CVC Capital Partners shares move to all-time lows during the session, with the stock down 3.26% or 0.42 to 12.45 at the close.
The AEX Volatility measure, which tracks implied volatility in AEX options, was unchanged on the day, holding steady at 21.09 (0.00% change).
Commodity markets showed upward moves on Thursday. Crude oil for April delivery climbed 2.46% - up 1.60 - to $66.65 a barrel. Brent crude for April delivery rose 2.16% or 1.52 to $71.87 a barrel. Precious metals recorded a modest gain, with the April Gold Futures contract increasing 0.13% or 6.64 to trade at $5,016.14 a troy ounce.
In currency trading, EUR/USD was effectively unchanged, moving 0.21% to 1.18, while EUR/GBP registered a 0.19% change to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures traded higher, up 0.25% at 97.86.
Market context summary
- The AEX closed down 0.28% after losses in Basic Materials, Healthcare and Financials.
- Top performers included Relx, Magnum Ice Cream and Universal Music; the biggest decliners were BE Semiconductor, Aegon and CVC.
- Market breadth favoured losers 54 to 44, with 11 stocks unchanged; CVC hit an all-time low.
Data highlights
- AEX Volatility (implied) remained unchanged at 21.09.
- Crude and Brent oil futures rose, and April Gold Futures edged higher.
- EUR/USD and EUR/GBP showed minimal movement, while the US Dollar Index Futures rose 0.25% to 97.86.