Belgian equities ended the trading day in negative territory on Friday, with the BEL 20 slipping 0.17% at the close in Brussels. Losses concentrated in the Consumer Goods, Telecoms and Healthcare sectors were the primary drivers of the overall decline.
Among individual movers, Sofina (EBR:SOF) was the session's strongest performer on the BEL 20, finishing up 1.63% or 4.00 points to trade at 250.00. Ageas (EBR:AGES) also posted solid gains, adding 1.60% or 1.00 points to end the session at 63.60, while Montea C.V.A. (EBR:MONTE) closed up 1.47% or 1.10 points at 76.10.
On the downside, UCB SA (EBR:UCB) recorded the biggest fall on the index, declining 2.51% or 7.10 points to close at 276.10. Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) retreated 2.14% or 0.40 points to 18.31, and Azelis Corporate Services NV (EBR:AZE) fell 1.88% or 0.17 points to 8.88.
Market breadth on the Brussels Stock Exchange was narrowly positive by count, with 48 stocks rising versus 46 that fell. Ten issues finished unchanged.
There were notable intraday milestones for two BEL 20 components. Ageas (EBR:AGES) rose to a 5-year high, closing at 63.60 after a 1.60% advance. Montea C.V.A. (EBR:MONTE) reached a 52-week high, finishing at 76.10 following its 1.47% gain.
Commodities showed mixed moves in international trading. Gold Futures for April delivery increased 1.79% or 89.59 to $5,086.99 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for April delivery dipped 0.14% or 0.09 to $66.31 a barrel, and the April Brent oil contract slipped 0.07% or 0.05 to $71.61 a barrel.
Currency markets were relatively stable. The euro was essentially unchanged against the dollar, with EUR/USD at 1.18, reflecting a 0.08% move. EUR/GBP was quoted at 0.87, unchanged by 0.14%. The US Dollar Index Futures traded lower, down 0.16% at 97.70.
Summary of session facts:
- BEL 20 at close: down 0.17%.
- Leading winners: Sofina (EBR:SOF) +1.63% to 250.00; Ageas (EBR:AGES) +1.60% to 63.60; Montea C.V.A. (EBR:MONTE) +1.47% to 76.10.
- Leading losers: UCB SA (EBR:UCB) -2.51% to 276.10; Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) -2.14% to 18.31; Azelis Corporate Services NV (EBR:AZE) -1.88% to 8.88.
- Market breadth: 48 advancers, 46 decliners, 10 unchanged.