Belgian equities ended the trading session on Friday in negative territory, with the benchmark BEL 20 index closing down 0.12% in Brussels. Losses in the Consumer Goods, Financials and Industrials sectors were the main contributors to the decline.
At the close, several individual stocks posted gains despite the overall downturn. Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) led the advancers on the index with a 3.51% increase, gaining 0.74 points to finish at 21.82. Montea C.V.A. (EBR:MONTE) added 3.48%, or 2.40 points, closing at 71.30, while Melexis NV (EBR:MLXS) rose 1.88%, gaining 1.45 points to end the day at 78.45.
On the downside, Solvay SA (EBR:SOLB) was the weakest performer among BEL 20 constituents, sliding 1.72% or 0.46 points to close at 26.28. Sofina (EBR:SOF) fell 1.09%, a drop of 2.40 points to 218.40, and D’Ieteren NV (EBR:IETB) declined 1.00% or 1.80 points to finish at 177.80.
Market breadth at the Brussels Stock Exchange favored losers, with 55 stocks falling versus 38 that advanced, while 10 issues finished unchanged.
Two index components reached fresh 52-week highs during the session. Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) climbed to a 52-week peak, advancing 3.51% or 0.74 to 21.82. Melexis NV (EBR:MLXS) also moved to a 52-week high, increasing 1.88% or 1.45 to 78.45.
Commodities markets saw modest gains: Gold futures for June delivery rose 0.13% or 6.14 to $4,717.04 a troy ounce. In energy markets, June delivery crude oil increased 1.04% or 0.99 to $95.80 a barrel, while the July Brent contract climbed 1.56% or 1.56 to trade at $101.62 a barrel.
Currency moves were limited. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.42% to 1.18, and EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.12% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures closed down 0.16% at 97.79.
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