All Bell ceremonies

15 years of ETFs in Europe

iShares sounds the gong in celebration of 15 years of ETFs in Europe

Kirst Kuipers, head of iShares Benelux at BlackRock, opens trading by sounding the gong to celebrate 15 years of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Europe. iShares was the first provider to introduce ETFs in Europe.

The sounding of the gong coincides with Europe’s biggest ETF Event, 'Inside ETFs Europe' in

Amsterdam, where iShares will be one of the speakers. Kirst Kuipers, head of iShares Benelux at BlackRock: “The ETF market in Europe is still relatively young but incredibly dynamic. We expect assets in Europe to continue to increase strongly this year. Since the start of the year, some $38.4 billion have flown into ETFs in Europe. By 2019, we expect the European ETP market to have grown to USD 1,000 billion of assets under management. ETFs owe their huge popularity to their liquidity and the low costs.” ETFs are investment funds that follow an index and are traded on the stock exchange. iShares is the largest ETF provider in the world.

For more information: www.blackrock.nl

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FSUG meeting

VEB opens trading in honour of FSUG meeting

Erik Nooteboom (European Commission) and chairman FSUG Mick McAteer open trading at the Amsterdam exchange. The sounding of the gong is done in honor of the meeting of the Financial Services User Group (FSUG), an advisory body set up by the European Commission, composed of associations representing consumers and retail investors in the European Union. This advisory body meets monthly in Brussels for talks with European policymakers. The twenty members of FSUG, of sixteen EU countries, advise the Commission on the creation and implementation of European directives into law. Once a year, the FSUG meets in one of the EU countries.

Today, shareholders association VEB hosts and warmly welcomes the members of FSUG and the European Commission in Amsterdam. With this initiative, the association of private investors underlines the importance of the interests of financial consumers at European level. VEB Europe, the subsidiary organization in which VEB is developing its European operations, it is the example par excellence.

For more information: www.veb.net

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Econocom Private Placement Bonds

Listing Euro Private Placement bonds issued by Econocom on Alternext

On Monday 8 June 2015, Jean-Philippe Roesch, Executive  Administrator of Econocom, opened the European stock markets with a Bell Ceremony to celebrate the listing of EPP bonds issued by Econocom on Alternext Brussels. The placement has a total of 101 million euros.  

Econocom is a major player specializing in the digital transformation of businesses. Econocom is listed on Euronext with the trading symbol “ECONB”.

To know more about the issuer, click on the following link : www.econocom.com

Project Prep

Project Prep and TomTom sound gong

By sounding the gong, Janneke Niessen and TomTom (ticker symbol: TOM2) call attention to the opportunities offered by technology and entrepreneurship to young girls.

Technology entrepreneur Janneke Niessen is committed to showing young girls that technology is extensive and the foundation of many creative professions: “I hope that girls are inspired to learn coding, to undertake and embrace technology.” As a result, Niessen initiated the book Project Prep, written by Niki Smit, winner of the Dutch Children’s Jury Award 2015.

Project Prep is supported by TomTom. Corinne Vigreux, founder of TomTom: “We are proud to support Project Prep. Getting more girls excited about technology and entrepreneurship is something we feel very passionate about. Project Prep is a great way to show young girls that a career in technology can be exciting and fun.”

For more information: www.preptheproject.com  

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IUCN NL sounds gong on World Environment Day

Nature organization IUCN NL sounds the gong on World Environment Day, together with partner organizations MVO Nederland, True Price, Interface, ABN Amro and Euronext-listed companies AkzoNobel, BAM, DSM, ING and Heijmans.

The VBDO, the association of investors for sustainable development, is also present. The organizations work together in the Green Deal ‘Transparency Natural and Social Capital’, together with the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure and Environment. They highlight the importance of investing in ecosystems and biodiversity, our natural capital, as the foundation for the economy. They call all listed companies to disclose their impact on natural and social capital and to focus on sustainability. This is an important step towards a sustainable economy with an eye for people and nature.

For more information: www.uicn.nl

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International Capital Market Association

International Capital Market Association sounds gong for AGM

René Karsenti, President of the  International Capital Market Association (ICMA) sounds the gong to open trading on the occasion of  ICMA’s 47^th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The International Capital Market Association is holding its AGM and Conference in Amsterdam for the first time since 1990. Around 800 international capital market participants drawn from ICMA’s global membership gather to discuss the issues affecting financial markets, including financial regulatory reform, Capital Markets Union and the role of capital markets in supporting economic growth. Among the notable speakers at the conference are: Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Minister of Finance, The Netherlands; Lord Jonathan Hill, EU Commissioner, Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union and Klaas Knot, President, De Nederlandsche Bank (Central Bank of the Netherlands).

ICMA is the only trade association to grow up alongside the development of the cross-border capital markets. Not linked to any one national market, ICMA has promoted the development of efficient global capital markets for close to 50 years. ICMA has some 470 member firms in almost 60 countries, including banks and financial institutions who are active in international capital markets.

For more information: www.icmagroup.org

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Aids Foundation

By sounding the gong, Director of the Aids Foundation Ton Coenen opens trading. He calls attention to the new campaign "No medication is mortal sin." Worldwide, only 37 percent of people with HIV are treated with antiretrovirals. Of the 35 million people living with HIV, 22 million people receive no medication. Therefore, more than four thousand people unnecessarily die from AIDS each day. To remedy this dire situation, the Aids Foundation has launched its new campaign, with which the organization wants the Netherlands to stand up for affordable drugs.

The campaign started with a public exhibition of Sacha de Boer and the appointment of musical star Freek Bartels as new ambassador of the organization. De Boer portayed people with HIV and their drug supply in Ukraine, South Africa and Myanmar. The images can be seen until 19 June at the Stopera in Amsterdam.

For more information: www.aidsfonds.nl/doodzonde

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Unilever 85-year listing anniversary

Unilever sounds gong to celebrate 85-year listing anniversary

Jean-Marc Huët, Chief Financial Officer of Unilever N.V. (ticker symbol: UNA) sounds the gong to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the company's listing. On 3 June 1930, the first listing of Unilever took place on the Amsterdam Exchange.

Unilever was formed in 1930 through an amalgamation of the businesses of Margarine Unie of the Netherlands and Lever Brothers of the UK. At that time one of the biggest consolidations in business. Today, two billion people use Unilever products every day to look good, feel good and get more out of life. Unilever’s portfolio ranges from nutritionally balanced foods to indulgent ice creams, affordable soaps, luxurious shampoos and everyday household care products. Unilever has more than 400 brands, including world-leading brands such as Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s and Omo, alongside trusted local names such as Blue Band, Pureit and Suave. Many of these brands have long-standing, strong social missions, including Dove’s campaign for real beauty. Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) commits to: decoupling growth from environmental impact, helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health & well-being and enhancing the livelihoods of millions of people by 2020.

In 2014, Unilever’s turnover exceeded €48.4 billion with 57% of the business coming from emerging markets. Unilever has more than 172,000 employees.

For more information: www.unilever.com

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National Prokkel Week

Start People and Cordaan launch National Prokkel Week

Managing director of Start People Jan-Willem Gelderblom and Perez Dalloe, experience expert and chairman of the client committee of Cordaan, open trading at the Amsterdam Exchange to launch the National Prokkel Week.

Start People, subsidiary of Euronext Amsterdam listed company USG People (ticker symbol: USG), is a leading player in the market for mobility, vocational rehabilitation, supported employment and social integration in the Netherlands. Cordaan is a healthcare provider for people with a (mental) disability which encourages its clients to participate in society. The National Prokkel Week is a week in which thousands of businesses, government agencies, NGOs, and educational- and health institutions organize exciting encounters, also known as Prokkels, between people with and without (mental) disabilities.

For more information: www.prokkel.nl

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Holland Festival

Holland Festival and sponsor Rabobank Amsterdam open Amsterdam exchange

Artistic director Ruth Mackenzie and managing director Annet Lekkerkerker of the Holland Festival sound the gong accompanied by Holland Festival sponsor Rabobank Amsterdam to mark the opening of the 68^th edition of the Holland Festival.

Holland Festival, the largest festival of international performing arts in the Netherlands, opens on May 30 in Royal Theatre Carré with the concert Boğazı Gecen Şarkılar (Songs across the Bosporus) by the Turkish folk ensemble KardeşTürküler with special guest the classically trained Turkish pop diva Candan Erçetin. The festival presents a total of 45 productions with 100 performances, concerts and events spread over 25 days. The festival runs from May 30 to June 23, 2015.

The Holland Festival is financed by the Dutch department of Education Culture and Science and the city of Amsterdam together with patron Fonds 21, sponsors, HF Business, funds and private contributors.

For more information: www.hollandfestival.nl

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BPCE

First bond issue of BPCE in RMB listed on Euronext Paris

The finance teams of BPCE visited Euronext Paris following their first bond issue in RMB listed on Euronext Paris

Best SME-award North-Holland

Winners Best SME-award North-Holland open trading at Beursplein 5

The winners of the Best North-Holland SME-awards open trading at Beursplein 5. Abovo Media (Large SMEs), Texelse Bierbrouwerij (Medium SMEs) and Drost technical management (Small SMEs) emerged as  winners. This year’s public choice award went to Fort Resort Beemster from Zuidoostbeemster.

For the jury, important distinctive criteria were personnel management, innovation, creativity and financial policy. According to the chairman of the entrepreneurs’ organisation of North-Holland  OVNH and member of the judging committee Jeroen Zwinkels, the jury visits were truly inspiring. “It is great to see that there is such a dynamic business community in North-Holland, and that frequently new enterprises manage to surprise us in a positive way. Since the level of all the finalists was very high, the final decisions that have been made are based upon minor details. Regardless, all votes were unanimous in each category.”

Partners and sponsors of the Best North-Holland SME-awards are: Randstad and Provincie Noord-Holland, MKB Noord-Holland, ABN AMRO, Delta Lloyd, Holland Media Combinatie, RSM Niehe Lancée Kooij, RTVNH and Media Support/Kantoor 260. 

For more information: www.ovnh.nl

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World MS Day

Neelie Kroes and Wolter Kroes jointly open trading on World MS Day

Former European Commissioner Neelie Kroes and ambassador of MS Research Foundation Wolter Kroes jointly open trading at the Amsterdam Exchange on World MS Day to highlight the need for more research into multiple sclerosis (MS). MS Research Foundation is funding research into MS of which the cause is not yet known, and therefore there is still no cure. "Kroes and Kroes" officially launch the Dutch edition of World MS Day, organized in more than 70 countries worldwide.

In addition to the sounding of the gong, the first copy of the book "Cognitie" by Prof. dr. Jeroen Geurts, professor of translational research MS Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center (MSCA) and Dr. Hanneke Hulst (MSCA) is offered to Job Cohen, a member of the Recommendation Committee of MS Research Foundation.

For more information: www.msresearch.nl

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40th anniversary listing SEB

Groupe SEB celebrated the 40th anniversary of the SEB share listing and opened the European trading day in Paris

Commemorating the day Groupe SEB went public, Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise, Chairman & CEO, outlined the milestones of the Group’s development and reaffirmed its confidence in the future.

Groupe SEB celebrated the 40th anniversary of the SEB share listing and opened the European trading day in Paris.

Commemorating the day Groupe SEB went public, Thierry de La Tour d'Artaise, Chairman & CEO, rang the bell that opens the European financial markets.

An opportunity for the world leader in small domestic equipment to trace the main stages of its development and confirm its confidence in the future.

For more than 40 years, Groupe SEB has implemented a business model which emphasizes growth, both organic and external, as well as competitiveness. This strategy, based on the balance of its strengths, allowed to the Group to progressively develop its business and to turn a visionary approach to the trade into tangible, innovative solution, bringing progress to consumers and creating value for the Group:

• A culture of innovation, constantly maintained and renewed, which is the keystone in its offensive product policy,
• An unrivalled portfolio of powerful, differentiated and complementary brands, allowing the Group a coverage of all market segments, worldwide
• Uninterrupted international development, which reflects today in its vast global presence in both mature and emerging markets,
• A diversified commercial approach, combining both distribution formats and networks that exist, modern and traditional, off line and online, to ensure  the most comprehensive market coverage,
• A unique Industry expertise and technological know-how guaranteeing  the best market standards in terms of quality and service to customers and consumers.

Find out more about Groupe SEB on www.groupeseb.com

Benfica SAD

Euronext Lisbon Bell flied to Catedral to celebrate Portuguese National Championship

On Tuesday 26, Euronext Lisbon brought its Bell to Benfica Stadium (also known as Catedral) to celebrate the victory of the National Championship Cup by this soccer club.

Benfica SAD is listed in Euronext Lisbon since May 2007.

Luís Laginha de Sousa and Miguel Geraldes from Euronext Lisbon were received by Luís Filipe Vieira and Domingos Soares de Oliveira (CEO and CFO of Benfica) to ring the Closing Bell, on an historic ceremony, with an eagle overflying the stadium before the time of the ringing - the Eagle is the symbol of this club and it is a tradition to see the real eagle flying before an important event.

New Euronext Brussels’ offices

Inauguration new Euronext Brussels’ offices with Minister of Finance

On 26 May 2015, Johan Van Overtveldt, Minister of Finance opened the European stock markets of Euronext with a Bell Ceremony to celebrate the inauguration of Euronext Brussels’ new offices.

The Marquis Building, in the heart of Belgium’s capital, maintains the strong ties between Euronext and the Belgian ecosystem, reinforcing Euronext’s key role in financing Belgium’s real economy. Better suited to the company's needs, the new premises are also a better fit with Euronext’s new culture of efficiency, growth and innovation.

The Marquis Building, situated in Rue du Marquis 1, bte 1, 1000 Brussels, is ideally located in terms of accessibility and public transport.

Amundi MSCI Low Carbon Leaders index ETF

Amundi ETF launches the first ETF in Europe exposed to a MSCI Low Carbon Leaders index

This innovative launch once again demonstrates Amundi ETF innovation capabilities, as well as the Group’s developments in terms of Low Carbon solutions.

Amundi ETF is launching an innovative ETF on Euronext providing investors with exposure to the MSCI World Low Carbon Leaders index that has been launched last September by MSCI, and developed with Amundi and two major European pension funds.
The MSCI World Low Carbon Leaders’ methodology aims to achieve at least a 50% reduction in the level of carbon emissions compared to the MSCI World, while minimizing the tracking error relative to it and retaining a sectorial and geographical similar composition.
This ETF aims at offering an efficient solution to investors seeking to adress the financial risk of climate change and carbon exposure.
This new ETF is offered with a TER of 0.25% and is available in EUR and USD share classes.

Nyenrode Business University

Nyenrode Business University opens trading for Private Investor Program

Nyenrode Business University opens trading for Private Investor Program. Participants in the Private Investor Program actively learn to analyse and manage their own investment portfolios according to the latest insights in the field of investing.

They are being taught by top experts who assist them in every step making the right investment decisions. After successful completion of this program, the graduates are able to independently take control of their own portfolio and are at least at the same level as a professional investor with several years of experience.

Dinie Adriaanse, graduate of the Nyenrode Private Investor Program, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.executiveeducation.nl