All Bell ceremonies

International Corporate Governance Network visits Euronext Amsterdam

By sounding the gong, The International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) marks the ICGN annual meeting, the world’s leading convention for the global corporate governance community, held between 16-18 June in Amsterdam.

ICGN is an investor-led organisation of governance professionals and ICGN's mission is to inspire and promote effective standards of corporate governance to advance efficient markets and economies world-wide. The conference programme features over 30speakers including Jeroen Dijsselbloem,Dutch Finance Minister of Finance and Eurogroup President, Jeroen Hooijer, Head of Corporate Governance, European Commission, Stéphane Hallegatte, Senior Economist, World Bank, Steven Maijoor, Chair, European Securities and Markets Authority and Anne Louise van Lynden, Head of Listing, Euronext Amsterdam. Managing Director Corporate Governance & Responsible Investment at BlackRock, Michelle Edkins and Executive Director at Eumedion, Rients Abma sound the gong.

For more information: www.icgn.org

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REN shares admitted to trading at Euronext Lisbon

Transaction generates proceeds of EUR 157 million

Lisbon – 16 June 2014– Euronext announced today that the sale of the 11% of the share capital of REN-Redes Energéticas Nacionais, SGPS, S.A. still held by the Portuguese State, generated proceeds of EUR 157 million. The 58,740,000 shares offered for sale will be admitted to trading in the regulated market Euronext Lisbon on June 17^th, allowing the company’s free-float to increase from the current 20% to 30%.

The price of the second phase of the reprivatisation of REN was set at EUR 2.68. The company’s shares closed today at EUR 2.72, which means a market capitalization of approximately EUR 1,500 million, considering the 534 million shares corresponding to its share capital.

The Portuguese State decided to sell the remaining 11% which it still held in the company led by Rui Vilar through a Public Offering (IPO) in the national market and a direct institutional sale aimed at national and foreign qualified investors.

Of the 58,740,000 shares offered for sale, 11,748,000 shares were allocated to the IPO, including 587,400 shares offered to the employees and 11,160,600 shares offered to the general public. The Direct Institutional Sale was of 46,992,000 shares. Approximately 1,7 million shares of the IPO tranche were reallocated to the institutional sale.

Following the IPO, REN raised 2,155 new shareholders.

“We are very pleased with the success of REN’s Offering, a transaction which underlines the importance of the Portuguese capital markets and Euronext Lisbon as a supporting tool for privatizations open to all the investors”, said Luís Laginha de Sousa, Chairman and CEO of Euronext Lisbon. “The increase in REN’s free float created by this transaction is also a positive element for the market as a whole”, he added.

“The complete privatization of REN´s capital closes a cycle that began with the autonomization of the transport function in the energy value chain. Today we reach a full independence between the concession grantor State and the concession grantee REN, and therefore the conclusion of the institutional model”, said Emílio Rui Vilar, CEO of REN.“I am pleased with the outcome of the transaction because, in addition to the clear demonstration of investors’ confidence, it allowed the increase in the free-float and stock liquidity, which is a positive sign to the shareholders and a greater challenge to both the management and employees”, he added.

Four MENA Exchanges close Euronext Markets in Paris

Euronext hosted the CEOs of Amman, Beirut, Tunis and Muscat Exchanges. The CEOs closed Euronext European Markets in Paris.

Mr. Marwan Bataineh - Chairman of Amman Stock Exchange, Mr. Chadi Salameh - Beirut Stock Exchange, Mr. Mohamed Bichiou - CEO of Tunis Stock Exchange, Mr. Ahmed Al-Marhoon - Director General of Muscat Securities Market, along with Mr. Nick Thornton - SVP Global Head of Euronext Market Solutions closed the European trading day in Paris.

Euronext previously announced that it has successfully signed agreements with four exchanges in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for the implementation of its new UTP solution, UTP-Hybrid.

Read the full press release: Euronext signs agreement on UTP implementation with four MENA exchanges (www.euronext.com)

EnterNext welcomes Reworld Media on Alternext in Paris

Pascal Chevalier, CEO of Reworld Media, rings the opening bell.

Reworld Media specializes in publishing Internet sites for the general public dedicated to sustainable development.In addition, the company develops and sells content and animations for Web portals and implements sensitization means and tools for companies and local administrations.The company operates 2 websites: Developpementdurable.com (economic, social, environmental and political current events related to sustainable development) and GchangeTout.com (exchange of items and services between individuals via the Web).

Winners of the SME Innovation Top 100 sound gong

The winner of this year’s Top 100 Innovative SMEs, Rik Breur, founder of Micanti, sounds the gong during a visit to Beursplein 5.

On Wednesday 11 June, the Chamber of Commerce, Mercedes Benz and NRC Media presented the ninth annual ranking of the 100 top innovations in the Dutch SME sector. The highest ranking company is Amsterdam-based Micanti BV, producer of a non-toxic, self adhesive foil used to seal the hull of a ship. The foil, Thorn-D, is a patented, environmentally friendly solution designed to prevent organisms such as barnacles and mussels from adhering to the sides of ships.

Second place winner is the family business GPC Kant of Leens in Groningen. The company has developed and patented a machine that can peel 1,000 kilos of the tiny Dutch, or brown shrimp, a day. TheWheel, produced by Apeldoorn-based company e-Traction B.V. finished in third place. TheWheel is a unique electric, direct-drive-in-wheel motor, which means that the stator and rotor are reversed; everything inside the wheel is stationary, while the outside rotates. The wheel itself is the drive mechanism for vehicles using TheWheel system.

For more information: www.mkbinnovatietop100.nl

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PSA Peugeot Citroën successful capital increase on Euronext Paris

Jean-Baptiste de Chatillon, CFO of PSA Peugeot Citroën rings the bell marking the opening of trading on markets in Paris.

Euronext today congratulated PSA Peugeot Citroën, Europe second largest automaker, on its successful capital increase. To celebrate, Jean-Baptiste de Chatillon, CFO of PSA Peugeot Citroën rings the bell marking the opening of trading on markets in Paris. A first capital increase was reserved for the French state and Dongfeng Group for € 1 billion, then a second capital increase with preferential subscription rights for 2 billion euros, representing a subscription ratio of 145%. The funds raised will give us the means to put our business on track in Latin America and Russia to reduce our debt, invest in our European plants so that they are competitive and invest in technology, particularly in technologies to reduce CO2 emissions.

DFT and Tostrams Group sound gong to launch WK2014-index

The Dutch daily Financiële Telegraaf (DFT) sounds the gong to mark the launch of the WK2014-index. The index is an initiative of DFT and Tostrams Group.

The WK2014-index is an index of five Dutch stocks traded on the Amsterdam Exchange, which are sponsoring the Dutch football team during the 2014 Football World Cup in Brazil. DFT (part of Telegraaf Media Group, listed on Euronext, ticker symbol: TMG) will publish the results of the WK2014-index during the tournament. Stocks included in the index are ING (official sponsor of the Dutch soccer team), Ahold (sponsor), Unilever (pizza’s, ice-cream and snacks), Philips (TV-producer) and Heineken (beer and samba shirts). The index starts with a fictional capital of € 100,000 which is proportional invested in shares of the sponsors. CEO of the Tostrams Group, Royce Tostrams, sounds the gong.

The initiators emphasize the airy nature of the index. The index doesn’t give any recommendations or investment advice.

For more information: www.dft.nl

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Bell Ceremony to celebrate the listing of the retail bond issued by WDP

On Friday 13 June 2014, Tony De Pauw and Joost Uwents, both CEO of WDP SCA, opened the European stock markets with a Bell Ceremony at Euronext Brussels to celebrate the listing of bonds for an amount of 125 million euros. The coupon amounts to 3.375% gross per year.

BNP Paribas Fortis, Belfius, ING and KBC Bank were the Joint Lead Managers. BNP Paribas Fortis acted as the coordinator.

WDP offers intelligent warehouse solutions with a focus on the development and letting of semi-industrial and logistical real estate.

To know more about WDP, click on the following link: www.wdp.be

Amundi ETF is launching the first ‘Multi Smart Beta’ ETF, a new proof of its ‘smart beta’ product innovation strategy

This launch fits with the expertise of Amundi, a major global asset manager, in the mapping, selection and implementation of smart beta solutions. Amundi ETF is 5th  European  ETF provider.

Amundi ETF is launching an innovative ETF on Euronext Paris providing investors with exposure to the Scientific Beta Developed Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy ERC strategy index.

This launch follows Amundi’s recent partnership with Edhec Risk Institute Scientific Beta, announced last February, initiated to develop and promote ETF and Index solutions to meet increasing demand from institutional investors.

With an existing range of single ‘Smart Beta’ strategy ETFs (Minimum Volatility, Mid Cap, Small Cap, Growth, Value and High Dividend), Amundi ETF is now entering the ‘Multi Strategy’ era of Smart Beta development.

The global equity 'Scientific Beta Developed Multi-Beta Multi-Strategy ERC' Index is combining efficiently four main risk factors (Value, Size, Low Volatility and Momentum ) with five popular diversification smart beta strategies, and finally uses an Equal Risk Contribution (ERC) weighting scheme.

This new ETF is offered with a TER of 0.40% and is available in EUR, GBP and USD share classes.

BPI rings the closing bell in Lisbon

Executive Committee of Bank BPI's rang the closing bell to commemorate the results of the Offer of debt for Equity swap. With this operation, the bank increases the share capital in more than EUR103 million.

Dalian Commodity Exchange opens the European markets in Paris

Mr. Ming Li, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Dalian Commodity Exchange, along with Anthony Attia, Chief Executive Officer of Euronext Paris open the European trading day in Paris.

Euronext today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE).  Its aim is to carry out joint research into the promotion, distribution and trading of commodity products, develop new strategies for improving the safe operation of orderly futures and options markets and discuss the feasibility of cooperatively developing new products.

Read the full press release: Euronext and Dalian Commodity Exchange sign MOU

Deloitte Technology Fast50 celebrates 15th anniversary

The Deloitte Technology Fast50 program celebrates its 15^th anniversary in 2014. Every year Deloitte searches for the 50 fastest growing tech companies in the Netherlands. To celebrate the anniversary, the winners of 15 years Fast50 are invited to sound the gong.

Deloitte organizes the election in collaboration with partners ABN AMRO, Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, AKD, Euronext and MT MediaGroep & Prime Ventures. The competition started 15 years ago to recognize the exceptional performance of these fast growing tech companies. The Fast50 companies have the best entrepreneurs of the future, who think fast and play a leading role in their field. The Rising Star is a special price that is destined for emerging innovative companies that are less than five years old. CEO of TTY, Maarten Beucker Andreae, sounds the gong as the winner of the Fast 50 Sustainable Grower award in 2011.

For more information: www.fast50.nl

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ING Private Banking visits Beursplein 5

ING Private Banking visits Beursplein 5 and organizes a seminar and visit to the Amsterdam Exchange Experience for its clients. Sounding the closing gong marks the launch of the ING campaign ‘Financieel Fit’.

‘Financieel Fit’ is a program that started earlier this year and is launched aimed at helping clients get into financially sound shape and to make them aware of the possibilities of investing. Rising health care costs, uncertain pension payouts and a limited tax rebate on mortgage interest all make it more relevant for people to accumulate wealth. By combining the certainties of saving with the prospect of greater revenue by long term investing, future financial goals can be reached.

For more information: www.ing.com

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Euronext welcomes Elior on Euronext's market in Paris

Gilles Petit, CEO of the Elior group, opens the European trading day in Paris.

Elior is one of the world’s leaders in contract catering. Net sales break down by activity as follows:

• institutional catering (69.5%; world’s No. 4): management of restaurants located in businesses and public buildings (46.3% of net sales), educational institutions (28%), health care facilities and nursing homes (25.7%). The group also offers related services (cleaning, security, maintenance, etc.);
• concession restaurants (30.5%; world’s No. 3): management of restaurants located at airports (38.6% of net sales), along highways (35.8%) and in towns (25.6%).

Restaurants and points of sale are operated under company-owned names (L’Arche, Philéas, Ars, Medas, MyChef,  Axxe, etc.) and through franchises (Paul, Quick, Courtepaille, Costa Coffee, Burger King, Starbucks Coffee, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, etc.).
France accounts for 56.1% of net sales.

Nyenrodian Stock Trading Organization De Zilveren Rijder celebrates 18th anniversary

New chairman Ruud Schreijer visits Euronext Amsterdam to sound the gong in commemoration of the 18th anniversary of The Nyenrodian Stock Trading Organization, De Zilveren Rijder.

De Zilveren Rijderis the student investment club of Nyenrode Business University. The board has the main objective to create a learning environment for fellow students, and to gather more experience in the dynamic world of investing. Eight fund managers who each analyze their own industry support the board.

For more information: www.dezilverenrijder.com

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Net4kids launches Social Business Community

Net4kids opens trading at Euronext Amsterdam and launches the ‘Social Business Community’.

The Net4kids Social Community is founded for entrepreneurs and companies to share knowledge, ideas and network regarding Corporate Giving. Managing Director Net4kids, Odette van Zijdveld, sounds the gong. Van Zijdveld: "How to do good and how this can benefit your company, is the central approach of this initiative. In our business network we have noticed a great need to meet, connect and share knowledge, ideas and network with one another." Net4kids is a B-t-B platform for child aid. Projects in Asia & Africa are connected to project investors.

For more information: www.net4kids.org

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STOPbraintumors.nl sounds gong for World Brain Tumor Day

Founder and chairman of the STOPbraintumors.nl foundation, Klaske Hofstee, opens trading together with oncological researchers, surgeons and volunteers to raise awareness for brain cancer and World Brain Tumor Day.

June 8th is celebrated as world Brain Tumor Day and has been initiated with the aim to spread awareness and to honor the victims of this lethal disease. STOPbraintumors.nl foundation was founded in 2007 and starts five to six promising brain tumor studies, each year, to improve healing and treatment opportunities for this disease.

For more information: www.stophersentumoren.nl

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Dance4life celebrates 10th anniversary at Euronext Amsterdam

Dance4life celebrates her 10^th anniversary at Euronext Amsterdam and sounds the gong for their special event in The Royal Concert Building in Amsterdam: DANCE4LIFE  10 YEARS, that takes place on 6 June.

The evening starts with a dinner and auction for dance4life ambassadors, sponsors and other VIP guests. They will enjoy a special show with a surprising mix of content and entertainment, with the cooperation of the Metropole Orkest, the National Ballet and dance4life’s new ambassador: Hardwell, the number one DJ of the world. Xander de Buisonje hosts the evening. At 11 PM doors open for guests coming to enjoy the dance event with Dutch top DJ’s Hardwell, Fedde Le Grand and Dannic. All proceeds go to the education programmes of dance4life, which are still badly needed since still every 14 seconds someone gets infected with HIV. Executive director Eveline Aendekerk sounds the gong at Euronext Amsterdam.

For more information: www.dance4life.nl

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