Belgian equities finished the trading session in negative territory on Tuesday, with the BEL 20 slipping 0.80% at the close in Brussels. Sector pressure came principally from Consumer Services, Technology and Industrials, which together drove the benchmark lower.
On an individual basis, the session's top performers included Umicore SA (EBR:UMI), which advanced 1.77% - a gain of 0.46 points - to finish at 26.50. Aperam SA (AS:APAM) also recorded a rise, adding 1.38% or 0.70 points to close at 51.60. UCB SA (EBR:UCB) was marginally lower late in the session, down 0.12% or 0.30 points to 244.30.
Losses were led by Melexis NV (EBR:MLXS), which fell 2.29% or 1.90 points to end the day at 81.05. Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV (EBR:ABI) declined 2.05% or 1.48 points to close at 70.80, while Sofina (EBR:SOF) dropped 2.00% or 4.60 points to 225.00.
Market breadth on the Brussels Stock Exchange was tilted to the downside, with 65 stocks closing lower versus 34 that advanced and 18 finishing unchanged.
Two names reached notable milestone levels during the session. Umicore's share price rose to a 52-week high on the move to 26.50, and Aperam's shares climbed to a 3-year high of 51.60.
Commodity markets showed mixed activity alongside the equity moves. Gold futures for August delivery fell 0.39% - down $17.89 - to $4,538.51 a troy ounce. In oil markets, July delivery crude lost 2.77% or $2.68 to trade at $93.92 a barrel, while the August Brent contract rose 4.00% or $3.74 to $97.16 a barrel.
Foreign exchange and dollar measures were little changed. EUR/USD moved 0.20% to 1.16, EUR/GBP moved 0.31% to 0.86, and the US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.03% at 99.15.
Session snapshot
- BEL 20 -0.80% at close
- Advancers: 34 | Decliners: 65 | Unchanged: 18
- Top gainers: Umicore (UMI) +1.77%, Aperam (APAM) +1.38%
- Top decliners: Melexis (MLXS) -2.29%, Anheuser Busch Inbev (ABI) -2.05%, Sofina (SOF) -2.00%
This report records closing prices, intraday movements and the directional balance of stocks on the Brussels market as reported at the close of trading.