All Bell ceremonies

University bond

First in Europe: University bond listed on Euronext Brussels

Alternext in Brussels today welcomed the listing of a series of bonds issued by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the Dutch-speaking university of Brussels. The bonds will be listed under the Euronext Private Placement Bonds programme (EPPB), an initiative giving issuers of private placement bonds simplified access to Euronext markets.
To celebrate the new listing, Prof. Dr. Paul De Knop, Rector of Vrije Universiteit Brussel, rang the bell to open trading.

The VUB bonds have been subscribed for a combined amount of € 61.5 million. The university’s series of amortising bonds comprises Fixed Rate Notes with a maturity of 15 years for an amount of €13 million and a coupon of 1,4%, Fixed Rate Notes with a maturity of 20 years for an amount of €20.5 million and a coupon of 1.653% and Floating Rate Notes (6 months) with a maturity of 20 years for an amount of € 28 million. The operation was led by Belfius.

The proceeds of the operation will be used to fund a large real estate project, which includes student apartments, state of the art academic facilities and a new cultural centre. 

Mint Tower Arbitrage Fund

Mint Tower celebrates fifth anniversary Arbitrage Fund by sounding gong

Mint TowerCapital Managementcelebratesthe fifth anniversary of the Mint Tower Arbitrage Fund by sounding thegong.

Mint Tower, located in the Amsterdam exchange,is the manager oftheMint TowerArbitrageFund,a rapidly growingopen-end "absolute return" investment fund, aiming to achieve stable positive returns, irrespective of the direction of the markets.

Amsterdambased Mint Towerboastsa highly experienced investment teamthat combines provenarbitragestrategies,particularly instock options andconvertible bonds.These strategieshavealow correlationwiththeequity markets andaretherefore suitableas part of adiversified investment portfolio.

For more information: www.minttowercapital.com

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Robeco

Robeco announces name change Rorento by sounding gong

Robeco Group announces that as of November 1, 2015, Rorento will continue under a new name. The fund, which is one of the oldest Dutch fixed-income funds, will be renamed to Robeco Global Total Return Bond Fund.

With the name change, the fund is more recognizable internationally. To mark the name change, and as the conclusion of the 40th anniversary of the bond fund, the investment team of the Robeco Global Total Return Bond Fund sounds the gong at Beursplein 5.

Kommer van Trigt, Portfolio Manager and Head of Global Macro Fixed Income team at Robeco: "We are pleased to close the jubilee year with a new name, which will contribute to better visibility and accessibility of the fund to investors worldwide. And though our name is changing, our investment policy remains intact. "

For more information: www.robeco.com

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40th listing anniversary Essilor

Essilor celebrates its 40-year anniversary on the Paris Stock Exchange. Laurent Vacherot, Chief Operating Officer, opens the European trading day in Paris.

Marking 40 years on the stock exchange on October 28, 2015, Essilor celebrates a unique human, industrial and commercial adventure driven by a shared mission uniting nearly 60,000 men and women worldwide that started 170 years ago.

A pioneer through major advances in ophthalmic optics (the invention of the progressive lens, organic lens and organic photochromic lens), Essilor has made innovation and a strategy of partnerships its pillars of growth. Since 1975, revenues have multiplied by more than 60, the number of employees by 8, Group companies have increased from 20 to more than 650 and its stock price has risen on average 16% per year.
Multi-local, the Group and its partners are present in 75 countries with industrial and commercial activities close to eyecare professionals in order to better meet the specific needs of local consumers.

Improving lives by improving sight: a key challenge. At the heart of Essilor’s strategy, this mission guides the work of teams around the world. Committed every day to advancing visual health, the Group’s employees lead many actions that aim to improve the access of 7.2 billion people on the planet to correction, protection and prevention. To serve the 2.5 billion people who don’t have solutions for their visual needs, the Group has developed new products, services and innovative distribution models. In January 2015, Essilor also created Vision For Life, a fund aiming to accelerate initiatives that combat poor vision in the world.

Lord Mayor of the City of London

Lord Mayor of the City of London visits Beursplein 5

The Lord Mayor of the City of London opens trading by sounding the gong to mark the City of London Corporation’s Pre-Presidency visit to the Netherlands and to celebrate the City’s longstanding and enduring relationship with the European Union.

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation supports and promotes the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach.

The Lord Mayor is head of the Square Mile’s City of London authority for one year. The Lord Mayor represents City businesses and helps the City Corporation advise the Government of the day on what is needed to help the financial services sector to function well. The Lord Mayor will meet several international Heads of Government and business each month to discuss financial services, often in conjunction with senior City business representatives.

The Policy Chairman sets the strategic direction of the organisation and is the lead political spokesperson for the Corporation.

For more information: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

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PSB INDUSTRIES 60th anniversary

PSB INDUSTRIES CEO Olivier Salaun closes the European trading day in Paris for 60th listing anniversary, .

Through its passion and innovation, PSB INDUSTRIES is the preferred industrial partner on the Luxury & Beauty, Food & Retail, Healthcare and Hygiene and Lighting & High-tech industries markets. Through the combined strenghs of its 4 brands (BAIKOWSKI, CGL Pack, TEXEN, PLASTIBELL), its 22 industrial sites and a footprint in 7 countries, the French Group was born in 1904 in Annecy and is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its initial public offering.

KKO International

KKO International makes debut on Alternext Brussels and Paris

Belgian holding specialising in cocoa production listed today on the Alternext markets in Brussels and Paris. KKO International is the first food producer to do an IPO on the European markets in 2015 and is currently the only company benefitting from a dual listing on Alternext.

Owner of a cocoa plantation of 1,000 hectares in Ivory Coast, KKO International raised € 6.54 million in new capital and has an initial market capitalisation of € 31.6 million. The proceeds of the IPO will allow KKO International to secure rights to possess and cultivate additional parcels, to invest in staff and equipment and to strengthen structural investments in its plantation.

To celebrate the listing, Jacques-Antoine de Geffrier, Chairman of KKO International, rang the bell in Brussels to open trading.

For more information, visit www.kko-international.com

Probiodrug

Probiodrug celebrates one-year listing anniversary

Probiodrug (ticker symbol: PBD) opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange to mark one year from the first date of listing on Euronext and as a symbol of the company’s mission to find a treatment for Alzheimer´s disease (AD). The gong is sounded by Inge Lues, CDO Probiodrug, accompanied by Dr Konrad Glund, CEO and co‑founder of the company.

Probiodrug AG is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of new therapeutic products for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Headquartered in Halle, Germany, Probiodrug was founded in 1997 by Prof. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Demuth and Dr. Konrad Glund and successfully developed a novel therapeutic concept for diabetes. Today Probiodrug’s aim is to become a leading company in the development of Alzheimer’s treatments and to thereby provide a better life for patients.  

For more information: www.probiodrug.de

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Euronext launches AtomX

Sounding of the gong launches Euronext initiative AtomX

Euronext celebrates the launch of its new initiative AtomX. By enriching services for off-orderbook, on-exchange trading, Euronext can meet demand from clients currently trading OTC to clear centrally, while maintaining the bespoke contract features that allow them to meet their trading objectives more accurately than standard orderbook trading. 

You can read the press release here: Euronext launches AtomX

For more information: www.euronext.com

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Het Beleggingsfonds

Euronext welcomes new Beursplein 5 resident Het Beleggingsfonds

Euronext welcomes new building occupant Het Beleggingsfonds at Beursplein 5. Andre Brouwers sounds the gong for the occasion. Het Beleggingsfonds is a new initiative that has its origin at the Beleggingsinstituut. The Beleggingsinstituut is housed in the heart of the financial sector and offers investors training and coaching programs to assist them in developing a successful strategy.

Since the founding of the Beleggingsinstituut, more than 20,000 investors were assisted in developing a successful strategy. The new initiative enables Het Beleggingsfonds to carry out the strategy of the Beleggingsinstituut for the wealthy investor. They can rely on a responsible approach, without needing to have the specialist knowledge and the time.

For more information: www.hetbeleggingsfonds.nl

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Entrepreneur of the year 2015

On 22 October 2015 Euronext Brussels celebrated the winners of the Entrepreneur of the year 2015
Tom Lenaerts, Chief Legal Officer of DEME and Steffen Patzwahl, Director of Pairi Daiza rang the closing bell. The election of Entrepreneur of the year is organised by EY with the support of Mediafin (De Tijd/L’Echo) and BNP Paribas Fortis. EY Entrepreneur of the Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. This unique award encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire other with their vision, leadership and achievement.

For more info about this competition : https://www.ey.com/BE/en/About-us/Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneur-Of-The-…

Wintertijd Challenge

Gong ceremony marks start of Wintertijd Challenge

The sounding of the gong marks the start of the Wintertijd Challenge, an annual fundraising sports event of the Spieren voor Spieren Foundation. Ambassador and field hockey international Eva de Goede opens trading together with Dean Dussenbroek, an 8 year old boy who suffers from a muscular disease called Ataxie van Friedreich.

This year, during the night in which the clock is turned back for winter time, people around the country will participate in sports activities for one hour and one second to help raise money for research into muscular diseases in children, and improving the path of diagnosis and treatment. Last year, € 350.000 was raised for this purpose. During this year’s Wintertijd Challenge, activities will be held at over 135 locations, making it possible for Holland to put their healthy muscles to good use, supporting those that have a muscle disease.

For more information: www.spierenvoorspieren.nl  

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Cordaid Memisa

Cordaid Memisa sounds gong to highlight new campaign

Cordaid Memisa calls attention to infant mortality by sounding the gong. Cordaid CFO Willem Jan van Wijk opens trading.

Every day, 6000 babies die during birth or on the first day of their lives. That comes to 2.2 million babies each year. Often unnecessary; 80% of these deaths could be prevented by better medical care. Cordaid Memisa wants every baby to be born safe and sound and takes action against infant mortality. By sending an SMS with the word 'baby' to 4333, one can donate € 2.50 and thereby help to reduce infant mortality.
 
For more information: www.cordaidmemisa.nl

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TechnoFirst

EnterNext welcomes TechnoFirst on Alternext in Paris

Christian Carme, Président-directeur général de Technofirst, rings the opening bell.

TechnoFirst specializes in the design, manufacture and marketing of acoustic and vibration nuisance protection products. The group offers noise-reducing helmets for extremely loud environments, active silencing systems for noise control, ventilation and motor exhaust covers, electronic noise attenuators for aircraft seats, etc.

NSI

NSI celebrates opening 10th branch by sounding gong

NSI (ticker symbol: NSI) has officially opened its 10th HNK location and celebrates this occasion by sounding the gong. HNK stands for The New Office (‘Het Nieuwe Kantoor’). With this concept, NSI is anticipating the growing need for full service and flexible leasing solutions in the office market.

Thor Uiterwaal, Business Development Manager, sounds the gong accompanied by NSI CEO Johan Buijs.

Buijs: “HNK Utrecht Central Station is our 10th HNK location, progressing towards our target of 20 HNK’s as per end 2016.” The interest for HNK Utrecht Central Station is high. “We already have prelet 5,500 sqm before opening, which is an unique accomplishment. Tenants choose HNK because of the location and the concept. With this 10th HNK branch we offer a great location within a unique network to everyone looking for flexibility and great facilities in an inspiring environment.”

For more information: www.nsi.nl

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Laaken Asset Management

Laaken Asset Management celebrates 10-year anniversary

Laaken Asset Management celebrates its 10-year anniversary by sounding the gong at the Amsterdam exchange.

The Asset Management Firm, established in Amsterdam, was founded in 2005 and manages assets of private individuals, families, foundations and associations. Founder Jolmer Gerritse sounds the gong in the presence of partners Rijnhard van Tets and  Sem Ongering and other members of the
Laaken Asset Management team.

For more information: www.laaken.nl 

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Telenet

Telenet celebrates 10th listing anniversary

Amsterdam Marathon

Gong sounding marks start Amsterdam Marathon

Abdi Nageeye sounds the gong to mark the start for the anniversary edition of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday 18 October.

A record number of 45,000 participants take part in the 40^th TCS Amsterdam Marathon. With 16,000 entries for the classic distance, the TCS Amsterdam Marathon is the biggest marathon of the Netherlands. No less than 104 different nationalities will be represented. Several Euronext listed companies such as KLM, JC Decaux, TomTom and De Telegraaf are associated with the event, which will be broadcast live on television in 132 countries for 221 million households.

For more information: www.tcsamsterdammarathon.nl

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