Stock Markets March 24, 2026

Amsterdam stocks close higher as oil, materials and telecoms push AEX up 0.78%

Energy and basic materials gains lift benchmark while select media and publishing names slide; crude and Brent surge

By Jordan Park SHEL MT
Amsterdam stocks close higher as oil, materials and telecoms push AEX up 0.78%
SHEL MT

The Amsterdam index ended the session up 0.78%, supported by advances in the Oil & Gas, Basic Materials and Telecoms sectors. IMCD NV led gains on the AEX, while Universal Music Group extended losses to an all-time low. Crude and Brent futures climbed sharply and the US Dollar Index Futures was firmer.

Key Points

  • The AEX closed up 0.78%, led by gains in Oil & Gas, Basic Materials and Telecoms.
  • Top AEX performers included IMCD NV (+5.92%), Shell PLC (+2.90%) and ArcelorMittal SA (+2.31%); laggards included Wolters Kluwer (-1.97%), Exor NV (-1.85%) and Universal Music Group (-1.72%).
  • Crude and Brent futures recorded sizable increases while gold futures declined; the US Dollar Index Futures edged higher.

Amsterdam equities finished the trading day in positive territory with the AEX rising 0.78% at the close. Sector strength was concentrated in Oil & Gas, Basic Materials and Telecoms, which collectively underpinned the index advance.

Among individual names on the AEX, IMCD NV (AS:IMCD) was the session's top performer, advancing 5.92% - a gain of 4.38 points - to finish at 78.38. Shell PLC (AS:SHEL) contributed to the energy-led move, adding 2.90% or 1.13 points to end the day at 39.92. Steelmaker ArcelorMittal SA (AS:MT) also posted a notable uptick, gaining 2.31% or 1.02 points to close at 45.23.

Not all components participated in the rally. Wolters Kluwer (AS:WLSNc) was among the weaker performers, slipping 1.97% or 1.26 points to close at 62.56. Investor holding company Exor NV (AS:EXOR) declined 1.85% or 1.20 points to 63.50, and Universal Music Group NV (AS:UMG) fell 1.72% or 0.27 points to 15.47 in late trade.

Universal Music Group's share price reached an all-time low in the session, closing at 15.47 after the 1.72% decline.

Market breadth on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange showed more winners than losers, with 56 stocks higher, 41 lower and 5 unchanged at the close.

Volatility measures were steady: the AEX Volatility index, which gauges implied volatility in AEX options, was unchanged at 21.09 (0.00%).

Commodity markets reflected significant moves. Crude oil for May delivery surged 5.55% or $4.89 to $93.02 a barrel. Brent crude for June delivery climbed 4.69% or $4.50 to $100.42 a barrel. Precious metals were softer, as the June Gold Futures contract declined 0.23% or $10.00 to trade at $4,429.50 a troy ounce.

Currency and dollar measures showed modest movement. The EUR/USD rate was unchanged at 1.16, recorded as a 0.40% change in the session's reporting. EUR/GBP was also unchanged at 0.87, shown as a 0.08% figure. The US Dollar Index Futures advanced 0.68% to 99.39.


Summary of market movers and indicators is based on closing prices and percentage moves reported for the session in Amsterdam.

Risks

  • Rising oil and commodity prices introduce volatility for energy and basic materials sectors, which could quickly reverse recent gains.
  • Weakness in select media and publishing equities - highlighted by Universal Music Group hitting an all-time low - indicates company-specific downside risk within telecoms and media-related names.
  • Although implied volatility for the AEX was unchanged, broader commodity and currency swings could feed into equity market uncertainty.

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