Belgian equities ended Monday's trading session with losses as sectors tied to Consumer Goods, Basic Materials and Technology exerted downward pressure on the market. At the close in Brussels, the BEL 20 index registered a 0.53% decline.
Among constituents, KBC Groep NV (EBR:KBC) led the gainers, finishing up 0.65% - a rise of 0.75 points - to close at 115.55. Ageas (EBR:AGES) added 0.52%, or 0.35 points, to end the day at 67.35. Sofina (EBR:SOF) posted a modest advance of 0.09% - 0.20 points - to finish at 223.80.
The session's weakest performers included Lotus Bakeries (EBR:LOTB), which fell 3.35% or 340.00 points to settle at 9,800.00. Elia (EBR:ELI) declined 1.59%, a loss of 2.20 points, to close at 136.50. D'Ieteren NV (EBR:IETB) slipped 1.41%, or 2.40 points, to finish at 168.40.
Market breadth on the Brussels Stock Exchange favored falling stocks, with 61 issues lower versus 32 that advanced and 14 that closed unchanged.
Notably, shares of Ageas climbed to five-year highs during the session, finishing up 0.52% or 0.35 to 67.35.
Commodities and currency benchmarks moved alongside equities. Gold futures for June delivery were down 1.13%, a drop of 54.08, to trade at $4,733.32 per troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for May delivery rose 6.50%, or 6.28, to $102.85 a barrel, while the June Brent contract increased 7.25%, or 6.90, to $102.10 a barrel.
In foreign exchange trading, EUR/USD was effectively unchanged at 1.17, showing a 0.10% move, while EUR/GBP was unchanged at 0.87 with a 0.03% move. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.15%, trading at 98.59.
Overall, the session in Brussels closed with the benchmark lower and a split among individual large-cap names, while commodities and the dollar showed noticeable volatility.