Central banks have been fighting inflation for some time now with interest rate hikes. By making borrowing more expensive, central bankers try to curb demand in the economy and thus curb price increases. Recent developments in the banking sector may also lead to tighter credit conditions for households and businesses as banks have become more cautious. As a result, central banks could possibly stop raising interest rates sooner.
The AEX ended 0.3 percent lower at 733.81 points. The MidKap also lost 0.3 percent, to 915.13 points. The stock exchanges in London, Frankfurt and Paris gained up to about 0.2 percent.
Shell
Prosus rose almost 4 percent. The Chinese internet and games company Tencent, of which Prosus is a major shareholder, rose more than 4 percent in Hong Kong. The banks ING and ABN AMRO rose 0.4 percent and 1.7 percent respectively. Oil and gas group Shell was also among the winners with a plus of 1.6 percent. Adyen and ASML fell to 4 percent.
Among the smaller companies on the Damrak, Ebusco was a striking winner with a plus of 6 percent. The manufacturer of electric buses and charging systems has received a contract from Zero Emission Services (ZES) for the delivery of twenty mobile energy containers.
Medical technology company
Onward came up with annual figures. The medical technology company saw its net loss decrease slightly last year and expects to be able to announce important research results this year. The stock fell nearly 1.8 percent, but recouped many of its losses earlier in the day.
The euro was worth $1.0844, against $1.0784 the day before. A barrel of US oil cost 1.1 percent more at $ 73.59. Brent oil also became 1.1 percent more expensive, at $ 78.95 a barrel.