(Updating with full report)
AMSTERDAM (AFX) - Share prices closed down in line with Wall Street's negative trading following Intel's warning first quarter results will not meet expectations, dealers said.
The AEX closed down 2.01 points or 0.44 pct at 455.25, after opening at 457.16, reaching a low of 452.57 and a high of 459.02.
Government bonds were broadly lower, while the euro traded at 1.2025 usd, up from 1.2009 late yesterday.
Techs went down following Intel's statement, with ASMI leading decliners, 2.82 pct lower to 15.59. Philips fell 1.58 pct to 26.71 and ASML lost 0.67 pct to 17.68.
Getronics was down 1.15 pct to 10.35 continuing yesterday's slide amid larger-than-expected losses at its Italian operations, with ING and UBS downgrading the stock.
Telecom Versatel shed 2.27 pct to 0.86 while fellow telecom KPN pushed up 1.95 pct to 27.84.
Financials helped put the index in negative territory, with Fortis shedding 1.69 pct to 29.12, after the group unexpectedly brought forward the publication of full-year results after a briefcase containing a draft version of the results was stolen.
The 45 pct rise year-on-year in net profit before divestments disappointed the market.
ABN Amro fell 0.86 pct to 24.08, Aegon was off 1.82 pct to 13.51 and ING went down 0.90 pct to 30.70.
Akzo Nobel was off 1.54 pct to 41.64 after the chemical group said it is planning a 'major' expansion of its coatings activities in Spain, but did not disclose any financial details.
Food related issue Laurus dropped 5.59 pct to 3.21 after the troubled Dutch retailer posted an even worse than expected full-year net loss.
Ahold was down 1.45 pct to 6.79.
By contrast, Nutreco continued to lead gainers, up 3.56 pct to 52.40 and Heineken went 0.92 pct higher to 31.84.
TomTom was another strong gainer, up 1.98 pct to 27.84.
TNT lifted 1.72 pct to 27.26 and Hagemeyer put on 1.40 pct to 3.62.
Wolters Kluwer went 0.87 pct higher to 19.74, still benefitting from the release of pleasing results this week. Delta Lloyd upgraded the issue to 'accumulate' from 'reduce'.
Heavyweight Royal Dutch Petroleum was up 0.55 pct to 25.78.
Rodamco Europe added 0.31 pct to 79.75 ahead of results expected next week. amsterdam@afxnews.com cmm/cml COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News. AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited