Netherlands equities finished the trading day in positive territory on Thursday, driven by strength in technology, basic materials and financials.
At the close in Amsterdam the AEX gained 0.67% to register a new all time high.
Top movers on the AEX
The session's largest winner was BE Semiconductor Industries NV (AS:BESI), which climbed 5.59% - a rise of 13.50 points - to finish at 254.80. Semiconductor equipment heavyweight ASML Holding NV (AS:ASML) added 4.83% or 73.80 points to end the day at 1,602.80. ASM International NV (AS:ASMI) also posted a strong gain, up 4.16% or 37.00 points to 926.80 in late trade.
Lagging names
On the downside, SBM Offshore NV (AS:SBMO) fell 2.14% or 0.70 points to close at 32.08. Magnum Ice Cream Nv (AS:MICCT) retreated 1.84% or 0.30 points to 15.93, while Prosus (AS:PRX) declined 1.78% or 0.72 points to 39.67.
Advancers outnumbered decliners on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange by 57 to 38, while 12 shares finished unchanged.
Volatility and fixed-income/commodities snapshot
The AEX Volatility index, which tracks implied volatility on AEX options, was flat on the day - unchanged 0.00% - settling at 21.09.
In commodities, crude oil for August delivery declined 1.97% or 1.45 to $72.07 a barrel. Brent oil for September delivery fell 1.92% or 1.50 to $76.52 a barrel. Precious metals moved higher: the August Gold Futures contract rose 1.33% or 54.47 to trade at $4,136.87 a troy ounce.
Foreign exchange and other indicators
EUR/USD was reported unchanged 0.20% at 1.14, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.02% at 0.85. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.10% at 100.65.
This trading day saw selective strength among technology and materials companies, contributing to the AEX closing at a fresh record, while energy contracts weakened and gold strengthened. Market breadth favored advancers over decliners by a clear margin.