All Bell ceremonies

Code of Conduct for bankers

Code of Conduct for bankers takes effect in the Netherlands

Interim - Chairwoman of the Foundation for Banking Ethics Enforcement, Nicolet Jager, sounds the gong and symbolically introduces the new code of ethics in the financial sector.

Dutch banks find it important that all bank employees act with integrity. Therefore, the code of conduct for bankers is created. The new and mandatory code of conduct for bankers will come into effect on April 1. As of that day, approximately 90,000 bank employees in the Netherlands are obliged to take the Bankers’ Oath, binding themselves to an ethical code of conduct and submitting themselves to disciplinary action should they break it.

The Foundation for Banking Ethics Enforcement has been established to oversee that those who have taken the oath abide by the associated code of conduct. The foundation can impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to an employment suspension of up to three years. Self-regulation organization DSI has been asked to provide assistance to the foundation.

For more information: www.tuchtrechtbanken.nl

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Gong marks intended launch Euronext Dairy Complex

By sounding the gong Euronext celebrates the launch of a dairy derivatives complex in spring 2015.

The full suite of futures and options will cover the three key dairy products currently traded in Europe and internationally: butter; skimmed milk powder; and whey powder, allowing the European dairy community to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations in this volatile market, just as the milk quotas expire in the European market.

The European market is the world leader in dairy production and the second largest exporter of dairy products worldwide. On 31 March 2015, milk quotas, originally initiated under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, will expire leading to liberalization of production and potential increased volatility in the European dairy industry. In addition, global demand for milk is increasing whilst supply chains can be unpredictable. Within this context this new product complex will allow the industry to manage their risk more smoothly in a transparent, regulated and liquid market.

For more information: derivatives.euronext.com/commodities/dairy-complex

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Himalayan Fund celebrates 25th anniversary on Euronext Amsterdam

Chairman of the Board of Himalayan Fund NV, Ian McEvatt, sounds the gong to mark the 25^th anniversary of the Fund’s launch on the Amsterdam exchange. At the time of its launch, Himalayan Fund was the largest single-country investment fund in the world and it remains one of the oldest investing in India today.

McEvatt: “We have been impressed with the way a new government in Delhi, working with a new regime at the Reserve Bank of India have succeeded in boosting investor sentiment on India. We remain confident that upward momentum will be maintained. The RBI has confirmed its policy of monetary easing by endorsing the government’s commitment to fiscal consolidation and reform in the recent Union Budget. The current market valuation is near its historical average, with plenty of scope for multiple expansion as well as earnings-driven appreciation over the next few years. The prospects for more excellent returns are good”

McEvatt added: “We are delighted with our long association with Euronext Amsterdam which provides an excellent trading platform assuring liquidity for our shareholders”

For more information: www.himalayanfund.nl

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EnterNext welcomes OSE Pharma on Euronext in Paris

Dominique Costantini, co-founder et CEO of OSE Pharma, rings the closing bell.

OSE Pharma is a biotechnology group that specializes in the research and development of therapeutic products for the treatment of cancers and lung disease.
At the end of 2013, the group had a portfolio of 5 products in development phase, including 4 in phase II (colon, breast and ovarian cancer, and cystic fibrosis) and 1 in phase III (lung cancer).

EnterNext welcomes Cerenis Therapeutics on Euronext in Paris

Jean-Louis Dasseux, President and CEO of Cerenis Therapeutics, rings the opening bell.

Cerenis Therapeutics is specialized in research & development into HDL therapies (High Density lipoproteins) intended for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. HDLs, also known as good cholesterol, are fat and protein complexes that contribute to the transportation of cholesterol from the body's tissues to the liver and are linked to a decrease in the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary diseases.
At the end of 2014, the firm boasted a portfolio of 6 products, with 3 in pre-clinical development and 3 in phase I of clinical development.

Aalberts Industries celebrates inclusion in AEX-Index

CEO of Aalberts Industries (ticker symbol: AALB), Wim Pelsma, celebrates the inclusion of Aalberts Industries in the AEX-Index® by sounding the gong.

For Aalberts Industries the inclusion in the AEX index is another milestone in the 40 years of history. Aalberts Industries was founded in 1975 and has been listed on Euronext Amsterdam since 1987. In March 2005 the company was included in the AMX-Index, followed by the inclusion in the AEX-Index as of 23 March 2015. Aalberts Industries, who operates from more than 30 countries,  consists of four businesses: Building Installations, Climate Control, Industrial Controls and Industrial Services.

The AEX-Index is a free-float market capitalization weighted index that reflects the performance of the 25 largest shares listed on Euronext Amsterdam, and is the most widely used indicator of the Dutch stock market. The index serves as a basis for more than 2,000 products, such as; structured products, exchange traded funds, options and futures.

For more information: www.aalberts.com

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Refresco Gerber celebrates IPO by sounding the gong

Refresco Gerber (ticker symbol: RFRG) celebrates her IPO by sounding the gong at Euronext Amsterdam. CEO, Hans Roelofs, opens trading.

Gerber Refresco is the European leader in bottling soft drinks and fruit juices for retailers and A-brand owners. At the end of 2014, Refresco Gerber has 27 production sites worldwide including the Benelux, Germany, the United Kingdom and France.

For more information: www.refrescogerber.com

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Winners of the Morningstar Awards Belgium 2015 at Euronext Brussels

On 26 March 2015, Euronext Brussels celebrated the winners of the Morningstar Awards Belgium.

Prosper van Zanten, Head of Benelux Distribution at Threadneedle Investments and winner of the Best Fund House Multi-Asset Award rang the Opening Bell at Euronext Brussels together with the other Morningstar Award winners. 

The Morningstar Awards are designed to help investors around the world identify the year’s most exceptional funds and fund managers.

To find out more about the worldwide Morningstar Awards 2015 : www.morningstar.com

Stedelijk Museum and sponsor Rabobank mark Matisse-exhibition

With over 100 works on loan from 35 leading international museums including the Tate, MoMA, and the Pushkin State Museum in Moscow, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam presents the most comprehensive survey of Matisse ever shown in the Netherlands. Covering over 21,500 square feet The Oasis of Matisse is one of the largest-ever exhibitions in the Stedelijk’s history. Rabobank Amsterdam is the sponsor of the exhibition.

The Stedelijk conceived a unique exhibition concept for The Oasis of Matisse: the permanent collection on the ground floor is enriched with a selection of Matisse masterpieces, creating surprising combinations with the work of his contemporaries, teachers and followers. As one of the founders of modern art, Henri Matisse (1868-1954) is among the most-admired artists of the twentieth century. His favourite subjects include interiors with Eastern nudes, colourful fabrics, carpets, potted plants and idyllic landscapes. The exhibition starts on Friday 27 March. Director, Beatrix Ruf, opens trading.

For more information: www.stedelijk.nl

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Winner Prix Veuve Clicquot 2015 opens trading

The winner of the Prix Veuve Clicquot, Dutch Business Woman of the Year 2015 award, Danny Hollestelle, CEO of Royal Hollestelle Group, opens trading.

The award is organized by the Veuve Clicquot Champagne House, part of the LVMH Group, listed on Euronext (ticker symbol: LVMH).The Prix Veuve Clicquot is an international award for successful businesswomen and was created as a tribute to Madame Clicquot, the woman who put Veuve Clicquot on the global Champagne map.

Royal Hollestelle Group is a cluster of specialized engineering companies that operate in the industrial, infrastructural and offshore markets. Activities include material supply, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance and inspection of structures and mechanical installations. The company was founded in 1874 by Jan Hollestelle. In celebrating its 100^th year of existence in 1974, the company was awarded the 'Royal' designation. Since 2007 Danny Hollestelle, herself the sixth generation, continued the business as acting CEO.

For more information: www.dannyhollestelle.nl

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10th anniversary of the BEL Mid and BEL Small indices

On 24 March 2015, the Award winner of the best performing BEL Mid Company - CFE - and the best performing BEL Small Company - Texaf-  opened the european markets. CEOs and CFOs of all the BEL Mid and BEL Small companies were also invited at this celebration event.

The bell ceremony has been followed by an exclusive presentation on investor relations’ practices in Mid and Small Caps.

Gong marks exchange anniversary and exchange history website launch

Euronext Amsterdam and the Capital Amsterdam Foundation sound the gong to celebrate the 413^th birthday of share trading. To mark the anniversary the foundation launches a new website dedicated to the extraordinary history of the stock market in the Netherlands.

In March 1602 the Dutch East India Company (VOC) issued the world’s first tradable shares to the public, thus creating the world’s first stock market and making it possible for entrepreneurs to finance their activities via the public capital market. Richard Blickman, the CEO of BE Semiconductor Industries NV (Besi) opens trading and briefly explains the importance of the stock exchange for the growth of Besi.

For more information: www.stichtingcapitalamsterdam.com

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PSA Peugeot Citroën celebrates return to CAC 40 at Paris opening bell

PSA Peugeot Citroën is back in the Index, driven by first results of its rebuilding plan "Back in the Race".

The very first year of its plan, PSA Peugeot Citroën achieved ahead on its target 2 main objectives out of 3, by generating €2.2 billion in operating Free Cash Flow and becoming net debt free at the en of 2014.
To celebrate this come back, Jean-Baptiste de Chatillon, CFO of PSA Peugeot Citroën rang the bell marking the opening of trading on markets in Paris.

Royal Vopak celebrates inclusion in AEX-Index in anticipation of its 400th anniversary

Vice-chairman of the Executive Board and CFO of Royal Vopak (ticker symbol: VPK), Jack de Kreij, celebrates the inclusion of Royal Vopak in the AEX-Index® by sounding the gong.

De Kreij: “We see this inclusion in the AEX as an inspiring milestone in anticipation of our 400^th anniversary in 2016 and a recognition of all the effort, commitment and accomplishments of our colleagues worldwide.”

Royal Vopak is a tank storage provider for the oil and chemical industry. Vopak operates 78 terminals in 28 countries with a combined storage capacity of 33.5 million cbm, with another 6.2 million cbm under development, to be added by 2019. Vopak’s mission is to ensure safe, reliable and effective storage and handling of bulk liquid products at key marine locations that are critical to the customers around the world.

The AEX-Index is a free-float market capitalization weighted index that reflects the performance of the 25 largest shares listed on Euronext Amsterdam, and is the most widely used indicator of the Dutch stock market. The index serves as a basis for more than 2,000 products, such as; structured products, exchange traded funds, options and futures. The inclusion of Royal Vopak will be effective from Monday 23 March 2015.

For more information: www.vopak.com

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CFO celebrates 250th anniversary Wessanen

CFO and member of the Executive Board, Ronald Merckx, sounds the gong to celebrate the memorable moment of 250 years Wessanen (ticker symbol: WES).

Two-hundred-and-fifty years ago, on 22March, Wessanen started its operations in the Zaan area in The Netherlands. Ever since, Wessanen has been involved in food, bringing customers and consumers innovative products. Today Wessanen is proud to be a focused brand builder in healthy and sustainable food in Europe. This is also what Wessanen stands for: making food that is good for people and planet, by focusing on organic, fair trade, vegetarian and good nutrition.

For more information: www.wessanen.com

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Rabobank Foundation marks World Down Syndrome Day

Rabobank Foundation, the Rabobank’s social fund, and ZOdIEZiJN foundation sound the gong and open trading in honour of World Down Syndrome Day.

World Down Syndrome Day, takes place on Saturday 21 March, and in honour of the occasion, Rabobank Foundation and ZOdIEZiJN are launching a new web shop: mooidoormij.nl. Both parties invest in making people self-reliant, and together they make it possible for people with a mental handicap to work in subsidised workshops at care institutions throughout the Netherlands, and therefore to be gainfully employed. The workshops produce original, sustainable products in cooperation with Dutch designers, which are developed under the label ‘Mooi door mij’. All of the people who are employed in the workshops are proud of their work, and of being able to contribute to society. The products will be available in the web shop from 19 March. Bono Kloek, who makes ‘Mooi door mij’ products, sounds the gong.

For more information: Rabobankbank Foundation

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CADES rings the bell to celebrate their bond issuance in RMB

Patrice Ract Madoux, Chairman of CADES, closes the trading day in Paris to celebrate the listing of their bond issuance in RMB

Created in 1996, CADES (Caisse d'Amortissement de la Dette Sociale)  is an administrative public body owned and controlled by the French State. Its mission is to amortise the French social debt. To successfuly achieve its mission entrusted by French Parliament, CADES has the possibility to issue tradable debt securities. The outstanding success of this transaction underlines the confidence that international investors have in CADES, one of the first European issuer. They particularly appreciate the solidity of the French social debt amortization mechanism, as well as the quality of the resource that is collected among the population under the supervision of the French Parliament and the Constitutional Council. Since its establishment, CADES has amortised a total of €84.1 billion of French social debt on a total of €216.7 billion assumed since inception. This reduction in the French public debt is equivalent in amount to 4 percentage points of 2013 GDP. When the interest saving on the amortised debt is taken into account, the reduction equates to more than 5 per cent of GDP.

RegionPlus foundation sounds gong for National Week of Health & Welfare

RegionPlus foundation sounds the gong on the occasion of National Week of Health & Welfare, held from 16-21 March. The National Week of Health and Welfare is an initiative of the 16 regional employers' organizations in health and welfare, united in the RegionPlus foundation.

This year’s edition is the third and revolves around the theme ‘How care works’. Hundreds of organizations across the country open their doors to the public to demonstrate the  operation of a shelter or care home, the use of advanced techniques in a hospital, and how enjoyable, challenging and important this line of work is. New this year is a daily TV program on SBS 6 titled "The Nation Cares'. YouTube star KOOLEIN, who plays a major role in the program, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.weekvanzorgenwelzijn.nl 

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