Belgian equities closed the trading week on a positive note on Friday, driven by strength in the Industrials, Utilities and Basic Materials sectors. The benchmark BEL 20 index finished the session up 0.55% at the Brussels close.
Leading the index gains, UCB SA (EBR:UCB) rose 2.72%, adding 5.90 points to finish at 222.90. Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) advanced 2.56%, or 0.54 points, to end the day at 21.60. Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV (EBR:ABI) recorded a 1.95% increase, gaining 1.44 points to close at 75.20.
On the downside, D'Ieteren NV (EBR:IETB) fell 2.18%, a decline of 4.00 points to a closing price of 179.40. Lotus Bakeries (EBR:LOTB) dropped 1.76%, losing 200.00 points to finish at 11,140.00. Solvay SA (EBR:SOLB) declined 1.56%, or 0.42 points, to close at 26.56.
Market breadth in Brussels was narrowly negative, with decliners outnumbering advancers 45 to 43, and 14 stocks finishing unchanged.
Notably, shares of Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV reached five-year highs during the session, rising 1.95% or 1.44 points to end at 75.20.
Commodities and energy
Commodity prices were mixed. Gold futures for August delivery fell 1.51%, a decline of 62.10, to $4,038.00 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for September delivery rose 0.87%, or $0.73, to settle at $84.32 a barrel. The October Brent contract gained 0.59%, up $0.51, to trade at $87.39 a barrel.
Currencies and indices
Foreign exchange moves were modest. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.11% to 1.15, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.09% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.20% at 99.92.
Intraday tickers and movers
- SOLB -1.56%
- UCB +2.72%
- DX +0.20%
- GC -1.51%
- LCO +0.82%
- CL +1.30%
- ABI +1.95%
- UMI +2.56%
- BFX +0.55%
- LOTB -1.76%
- IETB -2.18%
The session combined modest index gains with mixed commodity and currency movements, leaving market participants to weigh sector-level shifts as the week concluded.