Belgian equities ended the week on the back foot as the benchmark BEL 20 retreated 1.23% at the close on Friday, reaching a new one-month low. The session was marked by sector-wide weakness, with Basic Materials, Healthcare and Industrials among the principal laggards.
On the individual stock level, the session featured a small set of risers. Real estate investment trust Cofinimmo SA (EBR:COFB) led the gainers, finishing up 0.85% - an increase of 0.70 points - to close at 83.20. Bakery group Lotus Bakeries (EBR:LOTB) added 0.78%, or 80.00 points, to end the day at 10,320.00. Power network operator Elia (EBR:ELI) also rose, climbing 0.30% or 0.40 points to finish at 131.90.
On the downside, Syensqo SA (EBR:SYENS) registered the steepest fall, losing 7.96% - or 4.30 points - to close at 49.72. Materials and battery specialist Umicore SA (EBR:UMI) declined 4.67%, a drop of 0.83 points, to settle at 16.93. Pharmaceutical company UCB SA (EBR:UCB) was down 2.68%, or 6.90 points, closing at 251.00.
Market breadth at the Brussels exchange reflected the negative tone: falling issues outnumbered advancing ones by 53 to 42, while 10 stocks finished unchanged.
Commodities trading showed notable moves on Friday. Gold futures for April delivery were higher by 1.25%, up 63.30 to $5,142.00 a troy ounce. Crude oil also surged, with the April contract rising 11.12% or 9.01 to $90.02 a barrel. Brent for May delivery climbed 8.14%, gaining 6.95 to trade at $92.36 a barrel.
Currency markets were relatively steady. The euro-dollar pair (EUR/USD) was essentially unchanged, moving 0.02% to 1.16. The euro-pound cross (EUR/GBP) showed no material change, quoted at 0.87 with a 0.37% variation described as unchanged in the session source. The U.S. Dollar Index futures were lower, down 0.39% at 98.92.
The combination of sector-specific selling in Basic Materials, Healthcare and Industrials and strength in commodity prices framed a mixed risk environment for Belgian equities heading into the next trading week.
Summary
Belgian stocks closed lower, with the BEL 20 down 1.23% to a one-month low. Gains were concentrated in Cofinimmo, Lotus Bakeries and Elia, while Syensqo, Umicore and UCB led declines. Commodities rallied, notably oil and gold, while major currency pairs were largely unchanged and the U.S. Dollar index eased.