Belgian equity markets finished higher on Monday, with the benchmark BEL 20 index advancing 1.06% to reach a new three-month high at the close in Brussels. Strength in the Consumer Goods, Industrials and Financials sectors underpinned the upward move.
Among the top performers on the BEL 20, D'Ieteren NV (EBR:IETB) led gains, adding 2.93% - an increase of 4.90 points - to finish at 172.40. Sofina (EBR:SOF) also rose, gaining 2.59% or 5.80 points to close at 229.60. Aperam SA (AS:APAM) climbed 2.46%, up 1.22 points to end the session at 50.90.
On the downside, Azelis Corporate Services NV (EBR:AZE) was the weakest on the list, slipping 0.78% or 0.08 points to 10.23 at the close. Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) declined 0.53% or 0.14 points to finish at 26.04, while Aedifica (EBR:AOO) fell 0.21% or 0.15 points to 71.40.
Market breadth in Brussels favored advancers: 74 stocks rose versus 19 that fell, while 11 issues were unchanged at the close.
Notably, shares of Aperam SA (AS:APAM) reached a three-year high during the session, increasing 2.46% or 1.22 points to trade at 50.90 at the close.
Commodities and FX moved unevenly during the trading day. Gold futures for August delivery gained 1.03% - up 46.94 - to settle at $4,603.34 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for July delivery fell 5.22% or 5.04 to $91.56 a barrel, and the August Brent contract declined 4.98% or 4.99 to trade at $95.22 a barrel.
Foreign exchange benchmarks also showed modest moves. EUR/USD was recorded as unchanged 0.34% to 1.16, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.17% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.26% at 98.93.
Overall, the close in Brussels reflected broad-based sector gains that pushed the BEL 20 to its highest level in three months, with individual stock moves and commodity price shifts highlighting the session's contrasts.