AEX falls as AI share sell-off hits chipmakers

Amsterdam’s AEX fell 1.3% shortly after opening on Friday, as a global sell-off in AI-related shares put pressure on chipmakers and technology stocks. The decline followed heavy losses for Dutch chip companies a day earlier.

The index stood at 1,113.73 points, with nearly all its leading shares lower. ASML and ASMI each lost about 1%, while Besi fell 0.2%, according to ANP.

Investors were selling AI-related shares amid concern that resistance to the technology’s expansion could grow. The report said expectations of tighter US regulation had increased after Democrats’ strong performance in the congressional elections. It also cited opposition among American voters to the spread of AI data centres and election winners’ pledges to restrict such projects.

Dutch chipmakers had already fallen by as much as 7% on Thursday amid sharp losses in the US chip sector. The sell-off is part of recent volatility in technology shares: US tech stocks recently rebounded after steep losses, before falling again.