Ahold in demand on red AEX | Financial

Around 11 a.m., the AEX index was 1% lower at 595.1 points. The AMX fell 0.6% to 872 points. The price signs in London (-0.9%), Paris (-0.8%) and Frankfurt (-0.9%) also turned red.

Equity markets were also under pressure elsewhere. The Japanese Nikkei index closed 0.4% in the minus this morning American stock exchanges went down 0.8% to 1.2% on Wednesday. The mood on Wall Street was weighed down by the temporary closure of schools in New York due to the increasing number of corona infections. Wall Street is expected to open 0.4% to 0.6% lower this afternoon.

Virus concerns returned to financial markets after corona deaths in the US rose above 250,000 on Wednesday. In Italy and Turkey, the number of deaths on a daily basis rose to the highest level since April. Better news came from ING’s economic bureau, which predicted that the Dutch economy will recover from the corona crisis sooner than expected.

In the AEX the winners were led by Ahold Delhaize with a plus of 1.3%. The supermarket group, together with investor Centerbridge Partners, buys the online supermarket FreshDirect from New York. No financial details were disclosed. Ahold Delhaize will acquire a majority stake in the company.

Informatieleverancier Wolters Kluwer was allowed to add 0.9%. Specialty chemicals concern DSM became worth 0.5% more.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (-3%) was the largest drop among the main funds. The retail property fund announced that on Wednesday evening topman Christophe Cuvillier will be succeeded by Jean-Marie Tritant on 1 January. Previously, reports had emerged that the position of the top of the company had become unsustainable due to the failure of a planned share issue worth € 3.5 billion. For example, Commissioner Colin Dyer stepped down in the aftermath of the matter.

The AEX was mainly pulled down by the stock market weight Royal Dutch Shell (-2.8%). Steelmaker ArcelorMittal yielded 2.3%.

The AMX was a tank storage concern Vopak (+ 1.8%) the front runner. Chip supplier Iron plus 1.5%.

Arcadis (+ 1.4%) this morning unfolded the new strategy. The consultancy and engineering firm wants its profitability to be increased by 2023 and aims for stronger annual revenue growth under its own steam. Asset manager KBC Securities called the new targets ‘ambitious’ and raised the target price for the Arcadis share from € 22 to € 26.50 with an unchanged buy recommendation.

Pharming (+ 1.2%) late a new production facility build in Oss. With this, the biotech company wants to expand its processing capacity of its main agent, ruconest.

Air France KLM (-3.2%) was the biggest laggard among medium-sized funds. This week reports appeared that the aviation group billions of euros extra wants to collect from the French and Dutch State and from investors. But according to Air France boss Anne Rigail, the goal of the company is still to reach an agreement on strengthening its balance sheet next spring.

PostNL lost 1.3%. Employees of the postal company, except for postal workers who have their own collective labor agreement, receive 5.5% more wages in steps. This year the wage increase is 2.5%. Next year, 3% will be added, according to the agreement in principle. The agreement applies to approximately 18,000 employees.

Smallcapfonds Lucas Bols is hit hard by the corona crisis. The profit and turnover of the beverage manufacturer fell sharply in the first half of the broken financial year. Nevertheless, in recent months, following the relaxation of lockdown measures worldwide, there has been a strong recovery. Bols closed the six months to September with a 42% lower turnover of € 26.8 million. Profit fell to € 1.9 million from € 8.5 million after the first half of the previous financial year. However, the figures were not that bad for investors, as the Bols share rose 1.2%.

Dutch Star Companies Two (DSCT) will make its debut on the Damrak on Thursday with a price gain of 3%. The investment vehicle, like its predecessor Dutch Star Companies One (DSCO), wants to help a private company to the Damrak and raises approximately € 110 million with the IPO.

What should you do with your savings? Are stocks a good alternative in these uncertain times? Jim Tehupuring and Stefaan Casteleyn of 1Vermogensbeheer will give their vision on Thursday evening during a free webinar. Report you for free.

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