Netherlands equities closed higher on Thursday, with the AEX rising 1.06% to reach a new all-time high. Gains were concentrated in the Technology, Financials and Basic Materials sectors, pushing the benchmark higher by 1.06% at the close in Amsterdam.
Leading the session's winners was DSM Firmenich AG (AS:DSFIR), which climbed 11.66% - a rise of 9.72 points - to settle at 93.10. The move also took DSM Firmenich AG to 52-week highs. ASM International NV (AS:ASMI) added 9.53%, or 68.60 points, ending the session at 788.60. ASML Holding NV (AS:ASML) advanced 5.71%, gaining 77.80 points to finish at 1,440.00 in late trade.
On the downside, Wolters Kluwer (AS:WLSNc) led declines, slipping 7.18% or 5.32 points to 68.78 at the close. Relx PLC (AS:REL) fell 6.60%, down 2.22 points to 31.40, while Unilever PLC (AS:ULVR) lost 3.11% or 1.82 points to end at 56.61.
Market breadth on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange favored rising issues, with 61 stocks advancing versus 34 decliners and 12 shares finishing unchanged.
Measures of options-based risk on the Dutch benchmark were stable: the AEX Volatility, which reflects implied volatility of AEX options, was unchanged at 21.09.
Commodities and currency moves accompanied the equity action. Crude oil for September delivery traded down 0.30%, or 0.25, at $84.21 a barrel. Brent crude for October delivery fell 1.02%, or 0.90, to $87.19 a barrel. In metals, the August Gold Futures contract rose 1.83%, or 74.00, to trade at $4,110.30 a troy ounce.
Currency markets saw EUR/USD up 0.51% to 1.15, while EUR/GBP was reported unchanged at 0.23% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures declined 0.88% to 99.84.
Session snapshot
- AEX index: +1.06% to a new all-time high
- Top gainers: DSM Firmenich AG +11.66% (to 93.10), ASM International NV +9.53% (to 788.60), ASML Holding NV +5.71% (to 1,440.00)
- Top decliners: Wolters Kluwer -7.18% (to 68.78), Relx PLC -6.60% (to 31.40), Unilever PLC -3.11% (to 56.61)
- Advancers vs decliners: 61 vs 34, with 12 unchanged
- AEX Volatility: unchanged at 21.09