Belgian equities ended the trading session higher on Wednesday, supported by advances in Technology, Financials and Industrials that pushed the benchmark up at the close.
At the Brussels close, the BEL 20 index increased 1.37%.
The session's strongest performers on the BEL 20 included Aedifica (EBR:AOO), which climbed 5.00% - a gain of 3.40 points - to finish at 71.45. Melexis NV (EBR:MLXS) added 4.57%, gaining 3.40 points to close at 77.85. Aperam SA (AS:APAM) rose 2.76%, or 1.30 points, to settle at 48.46.
On the downside, Azelis Corporate Services NV (EBR:AZE) fell 1.73%, a decline of 0.18 points, to end the day at 10.20. D’Ieteren NV (EBR:IETB) edged down 0.06%, losing 0.10 points to close at 164.30. Solvay SA (EBR:SOLB) was unchanged, finishing at 25.30 with a 0.00% move.
Broader market breadth in Brussels skewed positive: advancing issues outnumbered decliners by 70 to 21, and 15 stocks finished unchanged.
Commodities showed notable weakness in the session. Gold Futures for June delivery fell 0.50%, a drop of 22.60, to trade at $4,535.40 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for July delivery dropped 5.43% - down 5.67 - to $98.71 a barrel. The July Brent oil contract fell 6.14%, or 6.88, to trade at $105.22 a barrel.
In foreign exchange, EUR/USD was unchanged 0.18% at 1.16, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.17% at 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.08% at 99.03.
This close reflects a session in which sector leadership from Technology, Financials and Industrials coincided with softer commodity prices and a slightly weaker US dollar futures reading.
Below is a concise view of the movers and market backdrop from the day’s activity in Brussels and related markets.
- Market outcome: BEL 20 closed up 1.37%.
- Top gainers: Aedifica (AOO) +5.00% to 71.45; Melexis (MLXS) +4.57% to 77.85; Aperam (APAM) +2.76% to 48.46.
- Top decliners: Azelis (AZE) -1.73% to 10.20; D’Ieteren (IETB) -0.06% to 164.30; Solvay (SOLB) 0.00% to 25.30.
- Commodities: Gold June -0.50% to $4,535.40 per troy ounce; Crude July -5.43% to $98.71; Brent July -6.14% to $105.22.
- FX and rates proxy: EUR/USD unchanged 0.18% at 1.16; EUR/GBP unchanged 0.17% at 0.86; US Dollar Index Futures down 0.08% at 99.03.