Netherlands stocks closed modestly higher on Thursday, with sector strength in Telecoms, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas buoying the AEX. At the Amsterdam close the AEX added 0.10%.
Among individual names, SBM Offshore NV (AS:SBMO) was the session's top performer, finishing up 11.93% or 3.74 points at 35.10. Universal Music Group NV (AS:UMG) also advanced, rising 3.13% or 0.46 points to end at 15.16. Koninklijke KPN NV (AS:KPN) gained 2.96% or 0.12 points to close at 4.07.
On the downside, Relx PLC (AS:REL) posted the largest decline, slipping 3.11% or 0.98 points to 30.52 at the close. Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV (AS:AD) fell 1.36% or 0.47 points to settle at 33.97 and Adyen NV (AS:ADYEN) dropped 1.12% or 10.60 points to 933.20.
Market breadth was tilted to the upside, with 55 stocks rising versus 40 that declined on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange; 11 issues finished unchanged.
Measures of expected market swings remained steady as the AEX Volatility index - which reflects implied volatility in AEX options - was unchanged, holding at 21.09 (0.00% change).
Commodity markets showed notable movement during the session. Crude oil for September delivery climbed 3.44% or 2.59 to trade at $77.81 a barrel. Brent oil for October delivery rose 3.90% or 3.10, reaching $82.55 a barrel. By contrast, the December Gold Futures contract eased 0.21% or 9.05 to trade at $4,296.15 a troy ounce.
Foreign-exchange rates were largely stable. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.29% at 1.15, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.27% at 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.30% at 99.85.
Investors observed uneven moves across individual stocks and commodities: a standout rally in an oil services name and firming crude prices contrasted with declines in several large-cap holdings. That pattern left the AEX slightly higher at the session end.
Market snapshot
- AEX - closed up 0.10%.
- Top gainer - SBM Offshore NV (SBMO): +11.93% to 35.10.
- Top decliner - Relx PLC (REL): -3.11% to 30.52.
- Commodities - Brent and WTI crude advanced; gold futures declined.
- FX - EUR/USD and EUR/GBP largely unchanged; US Dollar Index Futures rose slightly.