Spain's equity benchmark closed in negative territory on Thursday, with the IBEX 35 retreating 0.31% by the close of trade in Madrid. Losses were concentrated in Financial Services & Real Estate, Telecoms & IT and Consumer Services, which collectively contributed to the downbeat finish.
Among IBEX 35 constituents, the day's strongest performer was Naturgy Energy Group SA (BME:NTGY), which climbed 2.47% - a gain of 0.74 points - to finish at 30.66. Ferrovial (BME:FER) also posted gains, rising 1.94% or 1.06 points to close at 55.80, while Grifols SA (BME:GRLS) added 1.61% or 0.19 points to end the session at 11.67.
Conversely, the weakest shares included Indra A (BME:IDR), down 2.48% or 1.48 points to 58.20 at the close. Banco Santander (BME:SAN) retreated 1.88%, a decline of 0.21 points, finishing at 11.08, and Solaria Energia Y Medio Ambiente (BME:SLRS) slipped 1.36% or 0.23 points to close at 16.38.
Market breadth in Madrid showed slightly more falling names than rising ones: 96 stocks declined versus 90 that advanced, while 21 ended the day unchanged.
Commodities saw mixed movement. Gold Futures for December delivery fell sharply, down 3.07% or 122.98 to trade at $3,877.52 a troy ounce. In contrast, energy contracts moved higher: crude oil for December delivery rose 0.58% or 0.50 to $87.03 a barrel, and the January Brent oil contract gained 1.27% or 1.18 to end at $93.94 a barrel.
Foreign exchange rates were relatively stable. EUR/USD was reported unchanged at 1.11, and EUR/GBP was unchanged at 0.84. The US Dollar Index Futures was higher, up 0.27% to 103.09.
Session details - selected movers
- Top gainers: Naturgy Energy Group SA (NTGY) +2.47%, Ferrovial (FER) +1.94%, Grifols SA (GRLS) +1.61%.
- Top losers: Indra A (IDR) -2.48%, Banco Santander (SAN) -1.88%, Solaria Energia Y Medio Ambiente (SLRS) -1.36%.
- Index close: IBEX 35 down 0.31% to 19,965.50.
The trading day reflected modest downside pressure on the benchmark, with individual sectors and large-cap components driving the move. Commodity and currency shifts added context to the session, with a marked drop in gold futures contrasting with modest gains in crude and Brent contracts.