Investing.com – Belgium stocks were higher after the close on Wednesday, as gains in the Consumer Services, Utilities and Financials sectors led shares higher.
At the close in Brussels, the BEL 20 added 0.10%.
The best performers of the session on the BEL 20 were NV Bekaert SA (BR:BEKB), which rose 6.07% or 2.79 points to trade at 48.84 at the close. Meanwhile, Ontex Group (BR:ONTEX) added 3.58% or 1.15 points to end at 33.11 and ING Groep NV (AS:INGA) was up 1.32% or 0.200 points to 15.350 in late trade.
The worst performers of the session were Ageas (BR:AGES), which fell 1.62% or 0.630 points to trade at 38.280 at the close. Cofinimmo-Sicafi (BR:COFB) declined 0.52% or 0.60 points to end at 114.65 and Aperam SA (AS:APAM) was down 0.36% or 0.17 points to 46.20.
Falling stocks outnumbered advancing ones on the Brussels Stock Exchange by 57 to 55 and 11 ended unchanged.
Shares in NV Bekaert SA (BR:BEKB) rose to 5-year highs; up 6.07% or 2.79 to 48.84. Shares in Ontex Group (BR:ONTEX) rose to 52-week highs; up 3.58% or 1.15 to 33.11.
Gold Futures for June delivery was up 0.45% or 5.53 to $1221.63 a troy ounce. Elsewhere in commodities trading, Crude oil for delivery in June rose 3.33% or 1.53 to hit $47.41 a barrel, while the July Brent oil contract rose 3.04% or 1.48 to trade at $50.21 a barrel.
EUR/USD was down 0.01% to 1.0873, while EUR/GBP unchanged 0.00% to 0.8407.
The US Dollar Index Futures was unchanged 0.00% at 99.45.