Market close overview
Belgian stocks finished higher on Thursday, with sector strength in Technology, Utilities and Consumer Services supporting the rally. At the close in Brussels the BEL 20 index was up 1.38%.
Top movers on the BEL 20
The standout performer was Aperam SA (AS:APAM), which climbed 8.98% - a gain of 3.74 points - to settle at 45.38. The move took Aperam to three-year highs.
Melexis NV (EBR:MLXS) was also among the day's leaders, rising 5.70% or 3.85 points to close at 71.35. Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV (EBR:ABI) advanced 2.88% - up 1.80 points - to finish at 64.40.
Lagging names and breadth
On the downside, KBC Groep NV (EBR:KBC) fell 0.09%, losing 0.10 points to end the session at 113.25. Ageas (EBR:AGES) inched higher by 0.23% or 0.15 points to 66.70, while D'Ieteren NV (EBR:IETB) gained 0.46% or 0.80 points to reach 175.60.
Market breadth favored advancers: 63 stocks rose versus 28 that fell on the Brussels Stock Exchange, and 16 issues finished unchanged.
Commodities and energy
In commodities trading, June gold futures climbed 1.44% or 65.71 to $4,627.21 a troy ounce. Crude oil prices fell, with June delivery down 2.49% or $2.66 to $104.22 a barrel. The July Brent contract slipped 0.68% or $0.75 to $109.69 a barrel.
Currency and index moves
In FX markets, the euro strengthened versus the dollar as EUR/USD rose 0.49% to 1.17. EUR/GBP was essentially unchanged, moving 0.33% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures traded lower, down 0.83% at 98.00.
Summary observations
The session closed with a clear tilt toward rising names across the BEL 20, with industrial metals, semiconductor-related and consumer staples-related names among the contributors to gains. Aperam's sharp advance to three-year highs was the most conspicuous single-stock development on the day.