Netherlands stocks finished modestly higher on Thursday as gains in the Technology, Healthcare and Basic Materials sectors helped push the AEX up 0.22% at the close in Amsterdam.
At the top of the benchmark, ASML Holding NV recorded the largest advance, rising 2.59% - up 40.20 points - to finish at 1,594.00. ASM International NV followed, adding 2.25% or 21.80 points to close at 991.00. Koninklijke Philips NV also contributed to the upside, gaining 1.23% or 0.29 points to end the session at 23.93.
On the downside, Adyen NV led losses after sliding 2.62% - down 22.10 points - to trade at 821.90 at the close. Heineken declined 1.80% or 1.34 points to finish at 73.22, while Prosus was down 1.67% or 0.64 points to 37.78.
Market breadth in Amsterdam skewed negative: falling stocks outnumbered advancers by 62 to 34, and 11 issues finished unchanged.
Volatility measures were unchanged for the AEX. The AEX Volatility indicator, which tracks implied volatility on options tied to the index, was flat at 21.09, showing no change for the day.
Commodities moved higher during the session. Crude oil for August delivery rose 1.72% or $1.21 to $71.55 a barrel. Brent crude for September delivery advanced 1.53% or $1.13 to $75.00 a barrel. Precious metals also firmed: the August Gold Futures contract increased 1.06% or $42.42 to trade at $4,051.22 a troy ounce.
In currencies, the euro-dollar pair was reported unchanged at 1.14 with a 0.19% reading cited, while EUR/GBP was recorded unchanged at 0.86 with a 0.17% reading. The US Dollar Index Futures eased 0.25% to 101.14.
Session snapshot - notable moves:
- ASML Holding NV: +2.59% to 1,594.00
- ASM International NV: +2.25% to 991.00
- Koninklijke Philips NV: +1.23% to 23.93
- Adyen NV: -2.62% to 821.90
- Heineken: -1.80% to 73.22
- Prosus: -1.67% to 37.78
The AEX closed up 0.22% on the day, reflecting modest gains concentrated in a handful of large-cap Technology, Healthcare and Basic Materials names, even as more stocks declined than rose across the exchange.