AEX closes 1.1 percent lower as ASMI leads chip selloff

The AEX closed 12.55 points lower, or 1.1 percent, at 1,129.75 points on October 22. Chip stocks fell as new concerns about the cost and returns of artificial intelligence investment hit European markets.

ASM International was the weakest AEX stock, falling 6.7 percent. The decline followed renewed doubts about the AI investment cycle, while Besi fell 3.2 percent after its quarterly update, De Aandeelhouder reported.

Why did the AEX fall on October 22?

Investors reacted to weaker confidence in the payoff from heavy AI spending after Tesla and Meta issued updates after Wednesday's US close. Rising oil prices added pressure as a deadly attack in Saudi Arabia increased concerns about energy supplies. Brent crude rose 2.1 percent to USD 111.05, according to De Aandeelhouder.

Top and flop in the AEX on Thursday

Winners and losers at the Amsterdam close came from the same session, according to Investing.com:

• Unilever up 3.2 percent
• KPN up 3.1 percent
• Philips up 2.1 percent
• ASM International down 6.7 percent
• ABN AMRO down 5.0 percent
• ASML down 5.0 percent

Technology, basic materials and financials were the weakest sectors. Declining stocks outnumbered advancing stocks 66 to 32, with 9 unchanged.

AEX recovered from its morning low

The index opened 1.1 percent lower at 1,129.95 points before trading at 1,132.22 points around 2:00 p.m. CEST. It later finished at 1,129.75 points, based on intraday updates from Beleggen.nl and IEX.

Near the Amsterdam close, the S&P 500 was down 1.3 percent, the Nasdaq was lower by 2.3 percent and the Dow Jones was down 0.2 percent. Those US moves kept pressure on technology-heavy European markets.

What comes next for the AEX

• October 23, 2026, 7:00 a.m. CEST: Allfunds, Signify and WDP are scheduled to release third-quarter results, Belegger.nl lists.
• October 23, 2026, 9:15 a.m. CEST: France's preliminary composite purchasing managers' index is scheduled for release, followed by Germany at 9:30 a.m. CEST and the euro area at 10:00 a.m. CEST, De AandeelHouder says.

AEX price data for October 22, 2026

The AEX closed at 1,129.75 points on October 22, down 12.55 points or 1.1 percent versus the previous close, according to Investing.com. The index opened at 1,129.95 points.

More market reports and analysis on the AEX