At around 09:20 in Lisbon, the PSI continued its upward trend from the opening, rising 0.60% to 7,437.23 points, against a new high since May 2014 of 7,545.86 points recorded on Monday, with 12 stocks rising, two falling (Galp, -0.56% to 15.91 euros, and Ibersol, -0.43% to 9.36 euros), and one remaining unchanged (REN at 3.05 euros).
Following BCP, the shares of NOS, Semapa, and EDP Renováveis increased by 0.80% to 3.78 euros, 0.75% to 16.22 euros, and 0.62% to 9.74 euros, respectively.
More moderately, EDP, Altri, and Sonae shares rose by 0.44% to 3.66 euros, 0.41% to 4.89 euros, and 0.34% to 1.17 euros.
Mota-Engil, Jerónimo Martins, and CTT advanced by 0.33% to 3.63 euros, 0.30% to 21.08 euros, and 0.29% to 7.18 euros, respectively.
The other two advancing stocks were Navigator and Corticeira Amorim, rising by 0.28% to 3.31 euros and 0.13% to 7.79 euros.
Major European stock markets opened slightly higher today, following declines of over 1% the previous day, amid ongoing concerns about the Middle Eastern conflict.
Investors are worried about the potential for U.S. intervention in the conflict between Israel and Iran, which began a week ago.
Meanwhile, the European Commission releases today a preliminary reading of the eurozone consumer confidence index for June, expected to show improvement in line with May’s performance, although it remains at historically low levels.
The U.S. stock exchange in Wall Street was closed on Thursday due to the Juneteenth national holiday, celebrating the emancipation of the last enslaved people in the country.
In commodities, gold prices decreased while oil prices rose.
Gold per troy ounce, a safe haven asset, fell to 3,352.16 dollars, compared to 3,371.15 dollars on Thursday and 3,432.34 dollars on June 13, a new all-time high.
Brent crude, the benchmark oil in Europe, for August delivery, rose to 78.85 dollars, against 76.70 dollars on Thursday, supported by fears of a disruption in Middle Eastern oil supply due to the Israel-Iran war.
The euro advanced to 1.1515 dollars in the Frankfurt foreign exchange market, compared to 1.1457 dollars on Thursday and 1.1584 dollars on June 18, a new high since November 9, 2021.
