Belgian market edges down as sector losses weigh on BEL 20

The BEL 20 ended the session lower, down 0.23%, after losses in Consumer Goods, Technology and Consumer Services led the market. Elia and Montea posted gains, with Elia reaching a three-year high and Montea hitting a 52-week high, while Azelis, D'Ieteren and Melexis were among the heaviest decliners. Broader commodity and currency markets also registered modest moves during the session.

Key Points

BEL 20 closed down 0.23% as losses in Consumer Goods, Technology and Consumer Services weighed on the index.
Elia (EBR:ELI) and Montea (EBR:MONTE) were notable gainers, with Elia reaching three-year highs and Montea hitting 52-week highs.
Commodity and currency markets showed mixed activity: gold futures rose, crude oil marginally fell, Brent inched higher, and the US Dollar Index Futures declined.

Belgium's benchmark equity index closed modestly lower on Wednesday as declines in several consumer and technology-related sectors pressured the market. At the Brussels close the BEL 20 fell 0.23%.

Sector-level weakness in Consumer Goods, Technology and Consumer Services was cited as the primary force pushing the index into negative territory, with individual performers split between advances and losses across the benchmark.

Leading the winners on the BEL 20, Elia (EBR:ELI) advanced 1.32% - a gain of 1.80 points - to finish at 137.80. The stock's move took it to three-year highs at the close. Montea C.V.A. (EBR:MONTE) added 1.31% or 1.00 point to end the day at 77.30, marking a 52-week high. Financial services firm KBC Groep NV (EBR:KBC) also posted a gain, rising 0.53% or 0.60 points to 114.25 by late trade.

At the other end of the index, Azelis Corporate Services NV (EBR:AZE) registered the largest drop, sliding 3.99% or 0.35 to close at 8.31. D’Ieteren NV (EBR:IETB) declined 2.57% or 4.70 points to finish at 178.10, while Melexis NV (EBR:MLXS) fell 2.14% or 1.25 points to end at 57.15.

Market breadth on the Brussels Stock Exchange was narrowly positive in raw counts, with 52 issues rising, 47 declining and 9 finishing unchanged.

Outside equities, several commodity contracts showed movement. Gold futures for April delivery rose 1.03% or 53.44 to $5,229.74 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for April delivery slipped 0.26% or 0.17 to $65.46 a barrel, while the May Brent oil contract inched up 0.09% or 0.06 to trade at $70.64 a barrel.

Currency markets recorded modest shifts: EUR/USD moved 0.30% to 1.18, while EUR/GBP moved 0.18% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures finished the session down 0.17% at 97.60.

Summary of notable moves:

BEL 20 -0.23% at the close in Brussels.
Top gainers: Elia (EBR:ELI) +1.32% to 137.80, Montea (EBR:MONTE) +1.31% to 77.30, KBC (EBR:KBC) +0.53% to 114.25.
Top decliners: Azelis (EBR:AZE) -3.99% to 8.31, D’Ieteren (EBR:IETB) -2.57% to 178.10, Melexis (EBR:MLXS) -2.14% to 57.15.

Risks

Continued weakness in Consumer Goods, Technology and Consumer Services could exert further downward pressure on the BEL 20 - affecting market performance in those sectors.
Volatility in commodity prices, evidenced by moves in gold and crude oil, introduces uncertainty for resource-linked equities and broader market sentiment.
Fluctuations in major currency pairs and the US Dollar Index Futures may influence exporters and importers listed on the Brussels exchange through changes in FX exposure.

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