(ABM FN) The Brussels stock exchange managed to erase the opening losses on Thursday and the Bel20 trading day nicely in the green of the sharp rise in the Galapagos share.

The main index rose 0.6 percent to 4,105.45 points, which was one of the largest gains in Europe.

Investors seem to have digested Wednesday evening’s interest rate decision by the US Federal Reserve. The Fed makes it clear that the first rate hike will take place in March.

In recent days, stock markets have been dominated by volatility. But this is seen as normal by ING economist Philippe Ledent, as a tightening of the policy of the US central bank.

When assessing the Fed, such as the relative values ​​of the various asset classes against the new standards for key interest rates and bond yields, Ledent said.

Now that the Fed won’t be there to buy everything that comes up in the bond market, it’s no longer taken for granted that geopolitical and health uncertainties bother investors more. “Will also happen in 2020 and 2021, investors knew they could hope for the support of the FED. Now the Fed is rubbing on the support of the FED.

Ledent does not think the Fed’s policy would encourage the European Central Bank to expect faster. The reason for this is that the composition of origin in Europe and the US is different from, the economist. In the US it is more diversified, in Europe it focuses mainly on energy.

If the basis in the future, future, of course, can no longer hold the same arguments, certainly a future will certainly have to take, but for the time being that is not to be taken, but for the time being that is not to be taken, but for the time being that is not to be taken. follow-up to the economy.

On the macroeconomic front, the US economy turned out to be harder than expected quarter. Preliminary figures indicate a growth of 6.9 percent compared to 5.5 percent. Aid applications in the US are also more difficult than expected.

The euro/dollar quoted at 1.1151. The oil price fluctuated between profit and loss.

Risers and Fallers

Galapagos added a nice 22.3 percent to the main index. Investors positive and positive on the appointment of Paul Stoffels as new CEO of Galapagos. Stoffels, who takes office on April 1, succeeds Onno van de Stolpe. He was previously Chief Scientific Officer of J&J. Jefferies positive on the news. Jefferies about Stoffels a heavyweight. Citi Research put Galapagos on the buy list and the price target of 51.00 to 61.00 euros.

KBC provides 0.9 percent in.

In the BelMid, Bois Sauvage rose 4.0 percent, percent fell by no less than 6.0 percent, after two advice reductions.

The sale of Ubiway Retail by Bpost is a positive thing, although sales will remain limited on Tuesday, ING wrote in a reaction to the divestment by the postal company. Jefferies and UBS have lowered Bpost’s advice from Buy to Hold. Jefferies gave a target price cut from 10.00 to 7.50 euros and UBS went from 12.25 to 7.35 euros.

Gimv has acquired a majority interest in Groupe GSDI, the producer of technical adhesive films. KBC Securities increased the advice for Gimv from Keep to Buy with an unchanged target of EUR 59.00. The stock gained 1.7 percent.

In small stocks, Biotalys rose 4.6 percent. The company and K Agro have an agreement, whereby the latter will create the products.

Ekopak will form a joint venture with PMV and Water-link under the name Waterkracht with the aim of recycling Antwerp waste water. The stock rose 2.9 percent.

Exmar fell 4.1 percent.

Wall Street

As the European markets closed, the US stock markets were dominated by optimism. The S&P 500 is up 1.3 percent and the Nasdaq 1.1 percent.

Source: ABM Financial News

From Beursplein 5, the editors of Financial news from ABM keep a close eye on developments on the stock exchanges, and the Amsterdam stock exchange in particular. The information in this column is not intended as professional investment advice or as a recommendation to make.