Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon, Paris – 11 July 2014: Today Euronext launches new ‘Spotlight Options’ onsixcompanies listed on its Amsterdam market: Telegraaf Media Groep NV, Sligro Food Group NV, Exact Holding NV, Accell Group NV, Altice SA and BE Semiconductor Industries NV.
Spotlight Options give more visibility to underlying assets such as medium and smaller sized companies and newly listed stocksthrough a unique combination of liquidity provider support and strong promotion by sponsoring brokers. Spotlight Options are a special segment on the Amsterdam and Brussels derivative markets of Euronext, dedicated to the development of new option classes requested by market participants. The options will have short-term maturities of one, two and three months. The liquidity in these option classes will be supported by Susquehanna.
René Takens, Chairman of the Management Board of Accell Group, said: "We are honored and delighted to be part of the kick-off for the launch of a new option class on the Amsterdam stock exchange that will contribute positively to the liquidity of the Accell Group share. The Spotlight Options segment fits well within the innovative nature of Accell Group as we continuously strive to create distinctive and innovative bicycle and fitness products and services. On the back of this focus on innovation Accell Group has grown over the years to become the bicycle market leader in Europe and a top 5 player in North America.”
Richard W. Blickman, Chief Executive Officer of BE Semiconductor Industries NV (“Besi”) commented: “We are very pleased to have been selected by Euronext as one of the first participants in the Spotlight Options program. Besi’s earnings and share price have grown significantly in recent years as a result of our strategic positioning in key advanced packaging applications and the enhanced profitability of our business model resulting from our corporate transformation over the past five years. As a fast growing global semiconductor assembly equipment manufacturer in a cyclical industry, we believe the addition of options to complement our Euronext stock trading will further enhance the visibility of our company in the marketplace and expand ways in which investors can participate in Besi’s growth.”
Adam Rose, Head of Financial Derivatives at Euronext, said: “Spotlight Options will allow investors to enlarge their option portfolio in our transparent, regulated and cleared trading environment. This is another initiative from Euronext to diversify and build its derivative portfolio and offer attractive and innovative investment opportunities for its broad range of retail and institutional investors.”
The Spotlight Options will create additional investment and trading opportunities in SMEs and newly listed stocks. In a second phase Euronext will expand the segment via the introduction of Spotlight Options on other geographies and asset classes, responding to market demand. On Euronext Brussels, five Spotlight option classes will be introduced on July 15th.
Today the launch was celebrated with a special gong ceremony in Euronext Amsterdam in attendance of prominent representatives of the companies.