Amsterdam stocks finished the session in positive territory on Wednesday, with the AEX index registering a 1.76% gain at the close. Strength in Technology, Basic Materials and Real Estate names pushed the market broadly higher by the end of trading.
The top performers on the AEX included ArcelorMittal SA (AS:MT), which climbed 6.43% or 2.82 points to close at 46.66. Semiconductor equipment heavyweight ASML Holding NV (AS:ASML) added 6.11% or 68.40 points to finish at 1,187.60, while ASM International NV (AS:ASMI) rose 5.75% or 36.60 points to end the day at 673.60.
On the downside, Shell PLC (AS:SHEL) led decliners, slipping 3.73% or 1.53 points to close at 39.53. Magnum Ice Cream Nv (AS:MICCT) dropped 1.81% or 0.23 points to 12.48, and DSM Firmenich AG (AS:DSFIR) fell 1.14% or 0.70 points to 60.74. Market breadth in Amsterdam was tilted toward advancers, with 81 stocks rising, 24 falling and 3 remaining unchanged.
Magnum Ice Cream Nv recorded a new all-time low in the session, declining 1.81% to 12.48.
Measures of option-implied volatility on the AEX were steady: the AEX Volatility index was unchanged at 21.09, representing a 0.00% move for the day.
Commodities showed mixed moves in parallel trading. Crude oil for May delivery fell 1.33% or 1.35 to trade at $100.03 a barrel. Brent oil for June delivery dropped 1.75% or 1.82 to $102.15 a barrel. In metals, the June Gold Futures contract rose 2.81% or 131.52 to trade at $4,810.12 a troy ounce.
Foreign exchange rates shifted modestly during the session. The euro was stronger against the dollar, with EUR/USD up 0.49% to 1.16. EUR/GBP was reported unchanged 0.21% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures moved lower, down 0.52% to 99.24.
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Summary: The AEX closed up 1.76% as gains were concentrated in Technology, Basic Materials and Real Estate stocks. ArcelorMittal, ASML and ASM International were among the session leaders, while Shell and Magnum Ice Cream were notable decliners. Volatility held steady and major commodity and FX markets experienced modest moves.