Amsterdam equities finished the session lower on Thursday as sector losses in Oil & Gas, Consumer Services and Industrials pressured the benchmark AEX index. At the close in Amsterdam, the AEX declined 1.17%.
Among individual names, a small group of stocks managed gains while a larger share of listings slipped. The top performers on the AEX were:
- Universal Music Group NV (AS:UMG) - rose 1.75% or 0.34 points to trade at 19.49 at the close.
- Koninklijke Philips NV (AS:PHG) - added 1.43% or 0.33 points to end at 23.48.
- ING Groep NV (AS:INGA) - climbed 0.86% or 0.22 points to 25.75 in late trade.
The session's heaviest declines were concentrated in other names across the index. The worst performers were:
- Relx PLC (AS:REL) - fell 4.16% or 1.24 points to trade at 28.56 at the close.
- Magnum Ice Cream Nv (AS:MICCT) - declined 3.96% or 0.51 points to end at 12.40.
- Wolters Kluwer (AS:WLSNc) - was down 3.50% or 2.22 points to 61.20.
Market breadth on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange favored decliners, with falling stocks outnumbering advancing ones by 69 to 36, while 4 issues finished unchanged.
Volatility measures for the local market were steady. The AEX Volatility index, which reflects implied volatility of AEX options, was unchanged 0.00% to 21.09.
Commodity markets registered mixed moves during the session. Crude oil for June delivery slipped 1.20% or 1.14 to $93.94 a barrel. Brent crude for July fell 1.51% or 1.53 to $99.74 a barrel. Precious metals moved higher as the June Gold Futures contract rose 0.80% or 37.55 to trade at $4,731.85 a troy ounce.
Foreign exchange rates were relatively stable. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.11% to 1.18, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.07% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.03% at 97.85.
Summary observers can note that wider weakness in energy-related and industrial segments contributed to the AEX decline while a handful of large-cap names provided support on the upside. Volatility remained steady even as commodity prices diverged, with crude weakening and gold posting gains.