Euronext Amsterdam - Brisk Bond Trading In Amsterdam

Share trading at Euronext Amsterdam climbed by 1.1% in May, despite a 12.1% drop in total market capitalisation. Trading volumes on the bond market rose 6.7% in May, and by 25.5% in the first five months of the year 2001. Total turnover on the Euronext Amsterdam stock market showed a 5.1% increase in the same period.

A similar shift from shares to bonds was observed on the primary market at Euronext Amsterdam. In May, the value of shares admitted to listing fell 54.8%, while the value of bonds admitted to listing jumped 190%. In the first five months of 2001, share listings were down 49.2% compared with the same period last year, while bond listings rose 35.2%.

Trading on the derivatives markets of Euronext Amsterdam is becoming increasingly lively, particularly in index options. In May 2001, the number of index options traded soared by 38.5%, while equity options trading volumes were up 27.1% and futures volumes rose 21.5%. The total number of option and futures contracts traded increased by 27.3% during the month. At the end of May, total open interest in equity options was 23.8% higher than in the same period in 2000. During the first five months of 2001, the total number of options and futures contracts traded was 20% up on the corresponding period last year.