Netherlands stocks lower at close of trade; AEX down 1.60%

Dutch equities fell sharply, with the AEX dropping 1.60% to 1,065.63 as technology, industrials and healthcare names led losses. Heavyweight semiconductor stocks were the main drag: ASM International sank 7.88%, BE Semiconductor Industries fell 7.34%, and ASML dropped 5.74%. Gains in Heineken, Ahold Delhaize and Unilever were not enough to offset broader weakness, with decliners outpacing advancers 58 to 35. The report also noted softer commodity prices and a firm dollar backdrop, with crude oil, Brent and gold all lower on the session. The move points to risk-off sentiment in European markets and weakness concentrated in high-beta Dutch tech exposure, which may pressure the index further if semiconductor selling persists.