Belgian equities closed lower on Friday, with the BEL 20 declining 0.21% at the Brussels close as losses in the Financials, Basic Materials and Consumer Services sectors weighed on the market.
Within the BEL 20, UCB SA (EBR:UCB) was the session's strongest performer, finishing up 2.12% - a rise of 5.80 points - to close at 279.50. Cofinimmo SA (EBR:COFB) advanced 1.96%, or 1.75 points, ending the session at 91.25. Aedifica (EBR:AOO) also posted gains, increasing 1.84% or 1.40 points to finish at 77.40.
On the downside, KBC Groep NV (EBR:KBC) led decliners among the benchmark's constituents, sliding 2.71% or 3.15 points to close at 113.25. Lotus Bakeries (EBR:LOTB) fell 2.08%, a decrease of 220.00 points, to end the day at 10,340.00. Azelis Corporate Services NV (EBR:AZE) rounded out the worst performers on the index, slipping 1.80% or 0.18 points to 9.57.
Market breadth on the Brussels exchange showed 49 rising issues versus 43 decliners, while 12 shares finished unchanged.
Several individual stock milestones were recorded during the session. Shares of UCB SA rose to all-time highs, closing up 2.12% at 279.50. Cofinimmo SA reached three-year highs, advancing 1.96% to 91.25. Aedifica traded at 52-week highs after a 1.84% gain to 77.40.
Commodities and currency markets showed mixed moves. Gold futures for April delivery rose 1.74%, gaining 86.31 to trade at $5,034.71 a troy ounce. In oil markets, crude for March delivery fell 0.21% or 0.13 to $62.71 a barrel, while the April Brent contract ticked up 0.06% or 0.04 to $67.56 a barrel.
Foreign exchange pairs were largely unchanged: EUR/USD was flat at 1.19 (0.00%), and EUR/GBP was essentially steady, up 0.13% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures registered a small decline of 0.03%, trading at 96.81.
The session combined selective stock-specific strength with sector-level weakness, leaving the headline index modestly lower at the close in Brussels.