Belgian shares finished the trading day higher on Thursday, driven by advances in the Healthcare, Utilities and Financials sectors. The benchmark BEL 20 index climbed 1.51% and registered a new all-time high at the close in Brussels.
Within the BEL 20, Aperam SA (APAM) led the session’s winners, gaining 4.82% - an increase of 2.02 points - to close at 43.92. Argen-X (ARGX) added 3.98%, or 31.60 points, finishing at 825.20 and also reached an all-time high in the session. Azelis Corporate Services NV (AZE) rose 2.98%, up 0.28 points to 9.68 by the market close.
Not all components advanced. Aedifica (AOO) was the heaviest decliner on the index, slipping 1.00% or 0.70 points to close at 69.65. Melexis NV (MLXS) fell 0.77%, down 0.60 points to 77.75, while Groep Brussel Lambert NV (GBLB) ended the day 0.31% lower, off 0.25 points at 79.30.
Market breadth on the Brussels Stock Exchange favored rising issues, with 57 stocks ending higher, 35 declining and 13 finishing unchanged.
Commodities and currencies
Commodities trading showed divergent moves: Gold futures for August delivery climbed 1.39% - up $56.94 - to $4,139.34 per troy ounce. In contrast, crude oil prices fell. U.S. crude for August delivery dropped 1.12% or $0.77 to $67.81 a barrel, while the September Brent contract declined 1.02%, down $0.73, to $70.84 a barrel.
In currency markets, the euro strengthened against the dollar, with EUR/USD up 0.61% to 1.14. EUR/GBP was effectively unchanged, moving 0.04% to 0.86. The U.S. Dollar Index futures traded lower as well, down 0.63% to 100.51.
This trading session combined sector-led strength in Belgian large-caps with contrasting signals from commodity and currency markets. While headline index performance was positive and produced record levels for the BEL 20 and Argen-X, individual stock results varied across the exchange.