Belgian stocks moved higher by the close of trading on Thursday, driven by gains in several defensive and consumer-focused sectors. The benchmark BEL 20 index rose 0.24% and finished the session at a new record high.
At the close in Brussels, the session's top performers within the BEL 20 were Azelis Group NV (EBR:AZE), which advanced 2.30% or 0.27 points to close at 12.00; Melexis NV (EBR:MLXS), up 1.68% or 0.95 points to finish at 57.65; and UCB SA (EBR:UCB), which gained 1.34% or 3.90 points to end the session at 295.20.
On the downside, KBC Groep NV (EBR:KBC) recorded the largest drop among the headline names, sliding 4.34% or 5.25 points to close at 115.60. Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) declined 2.84% or 0.53 points to 18.11, and Syensqo SA (EBR:SYENS) eased 0.63% or 0.50 points to finish at 79.50.
Market breadth on the Brussels Stock Exchange favored decliners: 48 stocks fell compared with 43 advancers, while 12 issues were unchanged at the close.
Commodities and macro-related instruments saw mixed moves. Gold futures for December delivery fell 3.01% or 120.28 to trade at $3,880.22 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for December delivery rose 0.44% or 0.38 to $86.91 a barrel, and the January Brent oil contract increased 1.15% or 1.07 to trade at $93.83 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, EUR/USD was effectively flat, recorded as unchanged at 0.28% to 1.11, while EUR/GBP was quoted unchanged at 0.04% to 0.84. The US Dollar Index Futures moved higher by 0.22%, trading at 103.05 at the session close.
Notable session data (as reported):
- BEL 20 - up 0.24% to a record closing level
- Azelis Group NV - up 2.30% to 12.00
- Melexis NV - up 1.68% to 57.65
- UCB SA - up 1.34% to 295.20
- KBC Groep NV - down 4.34% to 115.60
- Umicore SA - down 2.84% to 18.11
- Syensqo SA - down 0.63% to 79.50
- Gold Futures (Dec) - down 3.01% to $3,880.22/oz
- Crude Oil (Dec) - up 0.44% to $86.91/bbl
- Brent (Jan) - up 1.15% to $93.83/bbl
- US Dollar Index Futures - up 0.22% at 103.05
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Overall, Thursday's session closed with the headline Belgian index at a fresh high, sector leadership concentrated in Utilities, Healthcare and Consumer Services and a mixed backdrop from commodities and FX.