Stock Markets March 23, 2026

AEX Advances as Basic Materials, Tech and Industrials Drive Gains

Amsterdam benchmark rises 0.53% while oil and gold slide; euro and pound hold firm

By Jordan Park MT ASML SHEL
AEX Advances as Basic Materials, Tech and Industrials Drive Gains
MT ASML SHEL

Dutch equities closed higher on Monday with the AEX rising 0.53% as gains in Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials led the advance. IMCD NV, ArcelorMittal and ASML were the session's strongest performers, while Wolters Kluwer, Shell and Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize were among the laggards. Commodity prices fell sharply, with crude and Brent oil down more than 8% and June gold futures off nearly 4%. Currency pairs were relatively stable and AEX implied volatility was unchanged.

Key Points

  • AEX closed up 0.53%, led by gains in Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials.
  • Top AEX performers included IMCD NV (+5.35%), ArcelorMittal SA (+5.24%) and ASML (+4.18%); notable decliners were Wolters Kluwer (-2.48%), Shell (-1.95%) and Ahold Delhaize (-1.93%).
  • Commodities moved sharply lower: May crude oil -8.54% to $89.84, June Brent -8.45% to $97.42, and June gold futures -3.99% to $4,425.50; FX rates were largely unchanged and AEX implied volatility was flat at 21.09.

Market close overview

Netherlands equities finished higher on Monday, with the AEX index adding 0.53% at the close in Amsterdam. The advance was led by moves in the Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials sectors, which collectively pushed the benchmark higher by the end of trading.

Top and bottom performers

  • IMCD NV was the top gainer on the AEX, rising 5.35% or 3.76 points to close at 74.00.
  • ArcelorMittal SA added 5.24% or 2.20 points to finish at 44.21.
  • ASML Holding NV gained 4.18% or 47.20 points to end the session at 1,175.40.
  • Wolters Kluwer recorded one of the largest declines, falling 2.48% or 1.62 points to 63.82 at the close.
  • Shell PLC slipped 1.95% or 0.77 points to finish at 38.80.
  • Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV was down 1.93% or 0.79 points, closing at 40.06.

Breadth on the Amsterdam exchange favoured advancers, with 62 stocks rising against 31 decliners; 14 issues were unchanged.

Volatility and commodities

The AEX Volatility measure, which reflects implied volatility of AEX options, remained unchanged at 21.09 - a 0.00% move. In commodities trading, energy and precious metals posted notable declines. Crude oil for May delivery fell 8.54% or 8.39 to $89.84 a barrel. Brent crude for June delivery dropped 8.45% or 8.99 to $97.42 a barrel. June Gold Futures lost 3.99% or 184.10 to trade at $4,425.50 a troy ounce.

FX and dollar index

Major currency pairs were relatively stable in the session. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.15% at 1.16, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.25% at 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures edged lower, down 0.41% to 99.06.

Overall, the market closed with a modest gain concentrated in a few sectors while commodity markets registered sharp moves to the downside during the trading day.

Risks

  • Significant declines in crude and Brent oil prices introduce volatility for energy and commodity-linked sectors.
  • A sharp fall in gold futures represents downside risk for precious metals exposure and related financial positions.
  • Concentration of gains in a few sectors - Basic Materials, Technology and Industrials - may pose risk to broader market stability if leadership narrows further.

More from Stock Markets

Kalshi to bar competitors and candidates from trading on events they influence Mar 23, 2026 Assessing the Feasibility of Musk's 'Terafab' Chip Ambition Mar 23, 2026 Ben & Jerry’s Foundation Granted Standing to Join Suit Against Magnum Over Governance and Funding Mar 23, 2026 Netanyahu Pressed Trump to Kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ahead of U.S.-Israeli Strike Mar 23, 2026 LaGuardia Resumes Operations After Fatal Collision Between Air Canada Jet and Firefighting Vehicle Mar 23, 2026