The AEX index in Amsterdam opened higher on Friday. Shares rose because investors hope the conflict in the Middle East will end soon. US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran would finish shortly, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted good progress in peace talks. However, the two countries still disagree on Iran’s nuclear materials and control of the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
The main Amsterdam index went up by 0.9 per cent in morning trading to reach a record high of 1,044.63 points. Stock markets in London, Paris, and Frankfurt also grew by up to 0.8 per cent. Meanwhile, oil prices jumped because the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, with Brent crude rising to $105.19 a barrel.
Payment company Adyen was the biggest winner on the Amsterdam market, climbing 4 per cent. On the downside, chemicals company IMCD fell 2 per cent after a negative report from investment bank JPMorgan. Shares in locker company InPost rose slightly after a group led by FedEx launched a €7.8 billion buyout bid to take the firm off the stock exchange.
Recruitment company Randstad saw its shares rise by 1.4 per cent. The company announced a €160 million deal to sell its European and Australian technology divisions to AI company LTM, while forming a partnership to share tech and staffing services. Finally, investment firm CVC rose 3.7 per cent after launching a €10.7 billion bid to buy and take private the Italian medicine company Recordati.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
