Spain's equity market closed lower on Friday, with the IBEX 35 ending the session down 0.73% in Madrid. Broad weakness in the Consumer Services, Financial Services & Real Estate and Consumer Goods sectors was the primary driver of the downbeat tone.
The market's intraday leadership was mixed. Acciona (BME:ANA) led gains, finishing up 12.28% - a rise of 27.00 points - at 246.80, and registering a new all-time high. Telefonica (BME:TEF) also outperformed, adding 5.62% or 0.21 points to close at 3.85. Real estate name Merlin Properties SA (BME:MRL) rose 5.60% or 0.80 points to 15.09 and likewise reached an all-time high by the close.
On the downside, International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. (BME:ICAG) was the weakest large-cap, falling 7.83% or 0.41 points to end the day at 4.83. Grifols SA (BME:GRLS) slid 3.97% or 0.44 points to 10.63, while Banco Santander (BME:SAN) declined 2.78% or 0.31 points to finish at 10.79.
At the breadth level, rising issues outnumbered decliners on the Madrid Stock Exchange by 101 to 93, and 19 stocks finished unchanged.
Commodities and FX highlights
Commodity markets moved higher during the session. Gold futures for April delivery rose 1.08% or 56.24 to $5,250.44 a troy ounce. Crude oil contracts for April delivery climbed 2.32% or 1.51 to $66.72 a barrel, while the May Brent contract increased 2.33% or 1.65 to trade at $72.49 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, EUR/USD was reported unchanged 0.24% at 1.18, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.45% at 0.88. The US Dollar Index Futures eased 0.20% to 97.54.
Context and takeaway
The session combined pronounced moves in individual names with mixed signals from commodities and currencies. Two of the session's top performers, Acciona and Merlin Properties, climbed to record levels, contrasting with steep declines in travel, healthcare supplies and banking names that contributed to the IBEX 35's retreat.
Investor note
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