Portugal's main equity gauge finished in negative territory on Wednesday, with the PSI20 closing 0.46% lower in Lisbon as selling pressure in telecoms, utilities and basic materials offset gains in a handful of stocks.
Session leaders and laggards
Among PSI constituents, CTT Correios de Portugal SA was the session's top performer, rising 3.03% - an increase of 0.18 points - to finish at 5.96. Banco Comercial Portugues gained 0.82% (0.01 points) to close at 1.04, while EDP Renovaveis ended up 0.28% (0.04 points) at 14.21.
On the downside, Nos SGPS SA recorded the largest decline, sliding 3.07% or 0.16 points to 4.89 at the close. Ren Redes Energeticas Nacionais SGPS SA fell 2.38% (0.09 points) to 3.68, and EDP Energias de Portugal SA dropped 1.70% (0.08 points) to 4.50.
Market breadth and activity
Decliners outnumbered advancers on the Lisbon exchange by 17 to 8, with 6 stocks finishing unchanged. The net movement left the PSI20 modestly lower at the day’s end.
Commodities and currencies
Commodity markets registered notable moves alongside the equity session. Brent crude for September delivery fell 2.54%, a drop of $1.85, to trade at $71.10 per barrel. U.S. crude for August delivery declined 2.07%, or $1.44, to $68.06 a barrel. In contrast, the August gold futures contract rose 1.57%, gaining $63.42 to settle at $4,101.92 a troy ounce.
On currency desks, EUR/USD was unchanged 0.25% to 1.14, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.46% to 0.86. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures traded higher by 0.11% at 101.07.
This trading day left Portugal’s market with a slight downward bias driven by losses in sector-heavy names, even as a small group of issuers posted gains.