Portugal's equity market ended the session in negative territory on Friday, with the PSI shedding 2.13% to close at a one-month low. Market declines were driven by losses in the Industrials, Telecoms and Financials sectors, which outweighed gains elsewhere.
At the close in Lisbon, Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA (ELI:JMT) was the day's best performer on the benchmark, gaining 1.10% - or 0.22 points - to finish at 20.18. Two other names on the index recorded no net change: Altri SGPS SA (ELI:ALSS) closed at 4.54, unchanged on the day, and Ibersol SGPS (ELI:IBS) ended at 10.60, also unchanged.
On the downside, Sonae SGPS SA (ELI:YSO) posted the steepest loss, falling 5.22% - a decline of 0.10 points - to close at 1.74. Energy group Galp Energia Nom (ELI:GALP) slipped 3.79% or 0.84 points, ending the day at 21.32. Postal and logistics operator CTT Correios de Portugal SA (ELI:CTT) was also among the heaviest decliners, down 3.54% or 0.21 points to 5.73.
Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the Lisbon Stock Exchange by 23 to 5, with 3 stocks finishing unchanged. The session included a notable low: shares of CTT Correios de Portugal SA (ELI:CTT) moved to 52-week lows, trading down 3.54% or 0.21 to 5.73.
Commodity markets displayed mixed moves. Brent crude for May delivery rose 1.83% - an increase of 1.99 - to $110.64 a barrel. U.S. crude for May delivery advanced 2.55% or 2.44 to reach $97.99 a barrel. By contrast, the April gold futures contract declined 0.16% - a drop of 7.29 - closing at $4,598.41 a troy ounce.
In currency trading, EUR/USD was reported unchanged 0.22% at 1.16, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.52% at 0.87. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures were up 0.28%, quoted at 99.33.
Market context
The session's breadth reflected a market where sector-specific selling pressure in Industrials, Telecoms and Financials outweighed selective gains. Larger individual moves in several names contributed to the benchmark's drop to its lowest closing level in a month.