Belgium's benchmark equities finished higher on Thursday, with the BEL 20 index closing up 0.43% in Brussels as advances in Basic Materials, Telecoms and Financials helped lift the market.
Among individual movers, Sofina (EBR:SOF) led gains on the index, climbing 2.92% - an increase of 6.20 points - to finish at 218.40. Aedifica (EBR:AOO) added 2.62%, or 1.75 points, to close at 68.50, while Lotus Bakeries (EBR:LOTB) rose 2.48% - up 260.00 points - to end the session at 10,760.00.
On the downside, Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) registered the largest fall among the listed names cited, slipping 0.77% or 0.20 points to close at 25.76. Azelis Corporate Services NV (EBR:AZE) finished unchanged at 10.58, recording a 0.00% move, and Montea C.V.A. (EBR:MONTE) edged up 0.14% - an increase of 0.10 points - to 70.00.
Market breadth on the Brussels Stock Exchange was tilted toward advancing issues: 62 stocks rose versus 22 that fell, while 17 ended the session flat.
Lotus Bakeries (EBR:LOTB) reached a 52-week high during the session, closing up 2.48% or 260.00 points to 10,760.00.
Commodities traded lower on the session: Gold Futures for June delivery were down 0.46%, a decline of 21.53, to $4,685.17 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for June delivery fell 0.36% or 0.36 to $100.66 a barrel, while the July Brent contract dropped 0.92% or 0.97 to trade at $104.66 a barrel.
Foreign exchange moves on the day included EUR/USD quoted as unchanged 0.32% at 1.17, and EUR/GBP reported unchanged 0.03% at 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures was higher by 0.23%, trading at 98.65.
Summary of session facts:
- BEL 20: +0.43% at close.
- Top performers: Sofina (EBR:SOF) +2.92% to 218.40; Aedifica (EBR:AOO) +2.62% to 68.50; Lotus Bakeries (EBR:LOTB) +2.48% to 10,760.00.
- Lagard/unchanged: Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) -0.77% to 25.76; Azelis Corporate Services NV (EBR:AZE) 0.00% at 10.58; Montea C.V.A. (EBR:MONTE) +0.14% to 70.00.
- Market breadth: 62 advancers, 22 decliners, 17 unchanged.
- Commodities: Gold Futures (June) -0.46% to $4,685.17/oz; Crude oil (June) -0.36% to $100.66/bbl; Brent (July) -0.92% to $104.66/bbl.
- FX and dollar: EUR/USD unchanged 0.32% at 1.17; EUR/GBP unchanged 0.03% at 0.87; US Dollar Index Futures +0.23% at 98.65.
The session data show a market that closed modestly higher with select mid- and large-cap names driving the advance, while commodity prices finished lower and the dollar firmed marginally.