Netherlands stocks higher at close of trade; AEX up 0.52%

Netherlands stocks closed higher as the AEX climbed 0.52%, led by gains in Oil & Gas, Healthcare and Industrials. Energy names outperformed after crude and Brent prices rose (WTI July +1.9% to about $102.98, Brent +1.7% to $111.09), lifting Shell and other sector leaders. Top AEX performers included Wolters Kluwer (+4.21%), REL/Relx (~+3.97%) and Shell (+3.39%), while heavyweight ASML fell 3.23%, weighing on the market. AEX implied volatility was unchanged at 21.09. FX and precious metals showed limited moves: EUR/USD around 1.16 and gold futures slipped. Overall the session reflected modest bullish breadth driven by energy strength, partially offset by tech/semiconductor weakness.