Belgian equities finished higher on Tuesday, with the BEL 20 index advancing 0.56% to close at a fresh record level. Sector strength in Technology, Financials and Healthcare underpinned the gains across the Brussels market.
The session's strongest performers among BEL 20 components included Argen-X (ARGX), which climbed 3.31% - an increase of 26.00 points - to finish at 811.40. Melexis NV (MLXS) added 2.02%, or 1.55 points, closing at 78.10, while Aperam SA (APAM) rose 1.87%, gaining 0.78 points to end the day at 42.56.
On the downside, Azelis Corporate Services NV (AZE) posted the largest fall on the index, slipping 2.67% or 0.26 points to close at 9.31. Aedifica (AOO) fell 1.60%, a decline of 1.15 points, to finish at 70.60. Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV (ABI) was down 1.17%, losing 0.86 points to end the session at 72.66.
Broader market participation was narrowly positive: 48 stocks rose, 45 fell and 15 finished unchanged on the Brussels Stock Exchange.
Commodities showed mixed outcomes. Gold futures for August delivery ticked higher by 0.08% - up 3.05 - to trade at $4,041.95 a troy ounce. Crude oil for August delivery declined 1.20% or 0.85 to $69.90 a barrel. The September Brent contract slipped 0.57%, down 0.42, to trade at $73.49 a barrel.
Currency markets and related futures were largely steady. EUR/USD was essentially unchanged, moving 0.09% to 1.14, while EUR/GBP was static at 0.86, a 0.08% change. The US Dollar Index futures rose 0.11% to 100.99.
The session reflected selective strength within key sectors rather than a broad-based rally, as a handful of names outpaced the rest of the market while several notable constituents trimmed index gains by posting declines. The net result was a modest, record-setting uptick for the BEL 20 by the close.
Market snapshot
- BEL 20 - up 0.56%, closing at a new all-time high
- Top gainers: ARGX +3.31% (811.40), MLXS +2.02% (78.10), APAM +1.87% (42.56)
- Top laggards: AZE -2.67% (9.31), AOO -1.60% (70.60), ABI -1.17% (72.66)
- Advance/decline: 48 rising, 45 falling, 15 unchanged
- Commodities: Gold +0.08% ($4,041.95/oz), Brent -0.57% ($73.49/bl), WTI -1.20% ($69.90/bl)
- Currencies and indices: EUR/USD ~1.14, EUR/GBP ~0.86, US Dollar Index futures 100.99 (+0.11%)