AEX closes at 1,129.22 points as chip selloff weighs on Amsterdam
Published on 11/05/2026 at 23:00 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSWhat shaped Thursday's session
- The AEX closed Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 1,129.22 points, down 0.62% from Wednesday's close.
- Semiconductor stocks led the decline, with ASML, ASM International and BE Semiconductor Industries all posting substantial losses.
- DSM-Firmenich, Adyen and Prosus were among the strongest AEX performers, limiting the broader index decline.
- The selloff followed renewed concerns about artificial intelligence investment and a sharp retreat in US technology shares.
The AEX ended Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 1,129.22 points, down 0.62% from Wednesday's close of 1,136.29. The decline came as technology and semiconductor stocks weakened sharply across Europe and on Wall Street. The closing level and daily performance were reported by Reuters via Investing.com.
Chip stocks drive the retreat
Technology was the main source of pressure. ASML fell 6.55%, ASM International lost 6.99% and BE Semiconductor Industries dropped 7.30%, according to the closing market report. The weakness followed a broad selloff in semiconductor shares, as investors reassessed the pace and durability of artificial intelligence infrastructure spending. Concerns about the effect of the US midterm-election outcome on data-centre construction and AI investment added to the sector's pressure.
The move in Amsterdam also reflected a much weaker US technology market during the European close. The Nasdaq was reported to be deep in the red, while semiconductor stocks were hit particularly hard after recent earnings and outlook statements renewed questions about demand and valuation. The AEX's technology exposure made the Dutch benchmark more vulnerable to that shift in sentiment.
Defensive and consumer names outperform
Several large constituents moved against the market trend. DSM-Firmenich rose 5.49% to 113.30 euros and was the strongest AEX performer. The company benefited after UBS raised its price target following its recent quarterly results. Adyen advanced 4.51% to 892.50 euros, while Prosus gained 2.77% to 38.02 euros.
Market breadth remained negative: 55 Amsterdam-listed stocks fell, compared with 36 gainers, while 13 were unchanged. The pattern indicates that the decline was broad rather than limited to a single index heavyweight, even though the semiconductor complex accounted for much of the AEX's headline weakness.
Investor focus shifts to AI spending
Thursday's session leaves the Dutch benchmark exposed to developments in global technology shares and to fresh evidence about the returns expected from AI-related capital expenditure. A rotation toward more traditional sectors offered some protection, but the performance gap between chipmakers and selected defensive or consumer-oriented companies remained pronounced. The next session will show whether the selloff stabilizes or continues to dominate European equity trading.
Further AEX coverage is available on the AEX topic page.
