Spain's benchmark stock index ended the trading day in Madrid on a softer note, with the IBEX 35 declining 0.43% at the close on Wednesday. Sector-level weakness in Financial Services & Real Estate, Telecoms & IT and Consumer Services was the principal downward force during the session.
The session's strongest performers on the IBEX 35 were led by ArcelorMittal SA, which climbed 4.78% - a gain of 2.52 points - to finish at 55.26. Indra A also registered a notable advance, rising 4.46% or 2.22 points to close at 52.00. Energy group Repsol ended the day higher as well, up 3.01% or 0.50 points to 17.11 in late trade.
On the downside, Amadeus IT was the weakest constituent, dropping 5.05% or 2.68 points to settle at 50.38. Banco Santander moved lower by 2.99% or 0.32 points to finish at 10.45, while Grifols SA lost 2.80% or 0.32 points to close at 10.93.
Market breadth in Madrid tilted toward decliners. Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones by 105 to 99, and 13 issues ended the session unchanged.
Several individual share moves were accompanied by notable milestone references. ArcelorMittal's share price was reported at a five-year high after the session; the stock gained 4.78% to 55.26. Repsol likewise was noted to have risen to a five-year high, increasing 3.01% to 17.11. Conversely, Amadeus IT reached a three-year low, slipping 5.05% to 50.38.
Commodities markets saw gains in key contracts. Gold Futures for April delivery were reported up 1.46%, rising by 73.36 to $5,104.36 per troy ounce. In oil markets, the March crude contract increased 1.80% or 1.15 to $65.11 a barrel, while the April Brent contract rose 1.64% or 1.13 to trade at $69.93 a barrel.
Major currency pairs were broadly unchanged on the day; EUR/USD was effectively flat at 1.19, moving 0.08%, and EUR/GBP was also little changed at 0.87, a 0.14% move. The US Dollar Index Futures registered a slight uptick of 0.01%, trading at 96.68.
The trading session mixed selective stock gains with broader sector pressure, leaving the IBEX 35 lower at the close. Energy and industrial names provided some support while financials, telecoms and consumer-oriented companies faced selling pressure.