AEX Reaches Record High Then Falls as Oil Prices Drop and US Data Loom

The Amsterdam Stock Index (AEX) surged to a new record of 1,112 points during a busy earnings week, buoyed by strong results from AI‑heavy firms such as Microsoft and Amazon. The rally was short‑lived; the index closed the following Friday at 1,099 points and opened the new week down about 0.14% after oil prices slipped on positive news from Iran.

PostNL led the day's gainers with a 7% rise, while CSG, Air France‑KLM, Corbion and CVC Capital also posted solid advances. Losses were seen in SBM Offshore, Magnum, Shell, Acomo and Fagron, each slipping between 1.3% and 2.4%. Analysts noted that the recent volatility reflects broader macro‑economic pressures, including a 20% rise in July oil prices, Euro‑zone inflation at 2.9%, and the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates steady, with Fed Chair Kevin Warsh offering no forward guidance. Market participants now await key US labour‑market and industrial data, which could shape the Fed’s future rate path.