Business
AEX closes with losses
The AEX index in Amsterdam closed 0.6% lower on Friday at 1041.10 points, dragged down by payment provider Adyen, which plunged nearly 9% following a negative US analyst report warning of lost market share and rising competition. Semiconductor giants ASMI, Besi, and ASML also suffered losses of up to 4.3% following global tech declines, while steelmaker ArcelorMittal fell 4.7%. These losses offset gains by consumer giant Unilever, which jumped over 3%, and Heineken, which rose 1.9% amidst shareholder pressure to break with tradition and hire an external CEO to replace Dolf van den Brink. Elsewhere, Air France-KLM dipped 1.2% after a Barclays downgrade, and global oil prices slid by up to 2.6%.
Business
Billions more needed to rescue struggling housing associations
More measures are needed to fix a €19.4 billion funding shortfall facing housing associations, as current government plans only solve the crisis on paper, Housing Minister Elanor Boekholt-O'Sullivan has warned. While the coalition's proposals—including annual funding boosts, higher rents for high earners, and relaxed European rules—theoretically turn the deficit into a surplus, they fail to account for reality. The minister pointed out that the calculations ignore high interest rates driven by the war involving Iran and wrongly assume that wealthy associations will easily subsidise struggling ones, threatening the target of building 30,000 new homes a year and prompting the creation of a new financial advisory committee.
Business
Dutch farmers earning less
Dutch farmers and growers saw their product prices drop by over 10% in the first quarter of the year compared to last year, driven by a 40% plunge in potato prices due to a bumper harvest and falling global demand for chips. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), prices for milk, eggs, fruit, and grains also fell significantly, even as production costs for fertilisers and veterinary fees rose. Although energy costs were initially lower during the quarter, the farming group LTO warned that the subsequent outbreak of war involving Iran has since sent global fuel prices soaring, prompting calls for government support to prevent rising costs from hitting food affordability.
Business
AEX index opens lower
The Amsterdam AEX index opened lower on Friday, dragged down by a 3 per cent drop for chip giants ASMI, Besi, and ASML following a tech sell-off in the US and Asia. As global investors shift from tech stocks to traditional sectors ahead of the latest US jobs report, wider European markets remained mixed, while Asian tech shares suffered heavy losses. On the local market, paint maker AkzoNobel and builder Heijmans posted gains, but Air France-KLM shares fell after a downgrade by Barclays, and Heineken investors piled pressure on the brewer to appoint an external CEO.
Business
New DigiD administrator must be European
Future DigiD contracts will be restricted strictly to European companies to protect national security, following a decision to block an American takeover of current operator Solvinity over data privacy concerns. State Secretary Eric van der Burg confirmed that under strict security procurement rules, firms from countries with laws allowing government data access—such as the US—will be excluded from the post-2028 tender. In the meantime, the government is introducing stronger data encryption for DigiD and MijnOverheid to better safeguard citizen information.
Business
Amazon plans a major expansion in Europe
Amazon will invest €10 billion in expanding and modernizing its European logistics network, creating 25,000 new jobs. The company is boosting same‑day delivery capacity with new micro‑distribution centers, while facing rising competition from Chinese rival JD.com.
Business
Demand for chips remains significantly greater than supply
TSMC, the world's leading semiconductor manufacturer, has confirmed that global appetite for AI chips continues to outstrip production capacity—even as the company pours billions into expanding its manufacturing footprint.
Business
Chemical giant Dow to cut 605 jobs in the Netherlands
Chemical multinational Dow has announced plans to cut 605 jobs in the Netherlands as part of a sweeping global restructuring effort. The cuts represent more than one-fifth of the company's total Dutch workforce, primarily impacting its massive chemical manufacturing hub in Terneuzen. While management is entering consultations to find socially responsible solutions, the broader corporate strategy aims to increase profitability through automation and fewer management layers.
Business
VodafoneZiggo boss also becomes CEO of Ziggo Group
Stephen van Rooyen will lead the new Ziggo Group while staying on as CEO of VodafoneZiggo. Liberty Global plans to complete the merger with Telenet this year and list the new company in Amsterdam next year. Jany Fruytier will join as Chief Financial Officer.
Business
Employees can lease a second bicycle with a lower tax addition
Employees can now lease more than one bicycle at the same reduced tax rate. The Tax and Customs Administration aligned the rules after concerns from leasing companies. The second bicycle must still meet business‑use requirements.
Business
European Union to unveil strict new tech sovereignty rules this Wednesday
The European Union is set to unveil a new strategy to reduce its dependence on foreign technology providers for microchips, AI, and cloud services. The draft proposals include emergency powers to override contracts and fast-track local data centre infrastructure. These measures come amid growing concerns in Brussels over the dominant market share of American digital companies.