Madrid - Spanish shares finished the trading day lower on Wednesday, with the benchmark IBEX 35 posting a 0.53% decline at the close in Madrid. The market downshift reflected sector-level weakness, led by Financial Services & Real Estate, Telecoms & IT and Building & Construction, which collectively pressured the index.
Among the components of the IBEX 35, Repsol (BME:REP) was the session's strongest performer, rising 2.47% or 0.56 points to finish at 23.26. Fashion group Industria de Diseno Textil SA (BME:ITX) also posted gains, up 1.48% or 0.78 points to close at 53.46. Shares of ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA (BME:ACS) climbed 1.46% or 1.80 points to 124.90 in late trade.
On the downside, Amadeus IT (BME:AMA) led laggards on the IBEX 35, sliding 3.31% or 1.80 points to end at 52.66. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BME:BBVA) fell 2.25% or 0.45 points to finish at 19.53, while Inmobiliaria Colonial SA (BME:COL) declined 2.07% or 0.12 points to 5.66.
Market breadth on the Madrid Stock Exchange showed more falling issues than advancing ones, with 102 stocks declining versus 90 advancing and 19 ending unchanged.
Commodity markets recorded notable moves during the session. Gold Futures for August delivery were lower, down 1.18% or 53.25 to $4,466.65 a troy ounce. Crude oil rose: the July contract increased 2.43% or 2.28 to $96.04 a barrel, while the August Brent contract gained 2.04% or 1.96 to trade at $97.96 a barrel.
Currency markets were mixed. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.28% to 1.16, while EUR/GBP unchanged 0.07% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures was higher, up 0.31% at 99.50.
Summary of notable index and security moves:
- IBEX 35 -0.53%
- Repsol (REP) +2.47% to 23.26
- Industria de Diseno Textil (ITX) +1.48% to 53.46
- ACS (ACS) +1.46% to 124.90
- Amadeus IT (AMA) -3.31% to 52.66
- BBVA (BBVA) -2.25% to 19.53
- Colonial (COL) -2.07% to 5.66
The session highlighted divergent moves across sectors and commodities, with energy-related contracts firming while precious metals retreated. Market participants ended the day with more names in the red than in the green on the Madrid exchange.