Colombian equities closed higher on Friday, with the COLCAP index rising 1.32% at the end of trading. Broad sector gains were driven by advances in Industrials, Services and Agriculture, which together helped push the benchmark upward.
Market leaders and laggards
Among stocks on the COLCAP, Ecopetrol SA (BVC:ECO) led gains, finishing up 3.16% - a move equal to 70.00 points - to close at 2,285.00. Grupo Cibest SA (BVC:CIBEST) also posted a notable advance, adding 2.15% or 1,780.00 points to reach 84,700.00 at the bell. Banco De Bogota SA (BVC:BBO) rounded out the best performers, rising 1.64% or 680.00 points to end the session at 42,080.00.
On the downside, Grupo Argos SA (BVC:ARG) recorded the largest decline among the benchmark constituents, slipping 1.78% or 320.00 points to 17,620.00. Grupo Nutresa SA (BVC:NCH) fell 1.51% or 4,620.00 points to close at 300,380.00, while Mineros SA (BVC:MAS) declined 1.42% or 280.00 points to finish at 19,500.00.
Market breadth
Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the Colombia Stock Exchange, with falling stocks outnumbering advancing ones by 1 to 0, indicating a less uniform participation despite the index-level gain.
Commodities and foreign exchange
In commodities trading, US coffee C for May delivery saw a marginal decrease of 0.02% or 0.05, trading at $285.35. US cocoa for March delivery registered a rise of 3.50% or 104.00 to reach $3,072.00. April Gold Futures were higher as well, up 2.39% or 119.61 to trade at $5,117.01 a troy ounce.
On the currency front, the Colombian peso weakened slightly versus the US dollar, with USD/COP up 0.22% at 3,707.92. The Brazilian real also strengthened against the peso, with BRL/COP rising 1.02% to 715.95. The US Dollar Index Futures traded lower, down 0.21% at 97.65.
The trading day closed with select large-cap gains offset by notable declines among other major names, while commodities and FX displayed mixed but modest movement alongside the equity advances.