ASML leads optimism AEX, Hunter Douglas ignites | Financial

With little volatility, the AEX index is listed 0.4% higher at 709.7 points around 4.30 pm.

The Midkap index advances 0.3% to 1057.5 points.

The indicators in Paris and London also turned green and both rose 0.2%. Many companies are closed due to Whit Monday and stock exchanges are closed in Frankfurt and Zurich.

Later in the week, the focus will mainly be on the figures on economic growth and consumer confidence in major economies such as Germany, France and the United States.

Today came in the Chicago Fed National Activity Index for April, a weighted index with 85 indicators of US economic growth. At 0.24 points, growth remained well below last week’s 1.71 points, and below the three-month expectations of 0.54 points.

‘Core inflation figure is crucial’

“But the most important thing remains inflation and especially core inflation,” said markets analyst Corné van Zeijl (Actiam), who looks ahead to Friday with the presentation of US personal spending in April and the consumer confidence figure in May. “If spending shows a growth of more than 3%, central banks have to respond. There will be fierce discussion about the first steps towards phasing out aid. And that will set markets in motion. ”

Rein Schutte (investment advisor at Noesis Capital): ,, Only Hunter Douglas is causing excitement after major shareholder Ralph Sonnenberg came over this weekend with a sharply higher takeover bid. The great dissatisfaction among other shareholders with the first offer will play a role in getting Hunter Doyglas off the stock exchange smoothly. ”

New York higher

In Asia won de nikkei a fraction. In New York, stock markets start 0.5% to 0.8% higher at 3.30 pm according to the futures.

“It remains to be seen to what extent the stock markets in the US will start to move prices on the Damrak in the afternoon,” says Schutte. “The brake on the commodities rally could possibly have more impact there.”

Investors are processing statements made by Patrick Harker, president of the Federal Reserve in Philadelphia. Like more administrators, he wants the central bank system to start as soon as possible about phasing out the bond buying program, which is now supporting the economy.

Unrest

Schutte takes into account that the stock market climate will become more restless towards the start of the new trading month. The VIX or volatility index is still moving below 20 points, a signal of moderation.

“From range in which the AEX moves in May has become somewhat larger after the rather strong corrections to below 700 points, ”said Schutte. “However, it cannot be ruled out that there will be a new attack on the current peak, because the underlying sentiment is still positive with an economic recovery in Europe that has started.”

Northern Trust chief economist Carl Tannenbaum warns that the strength of the Chinese services sector is already diminishing. “Which indicates that domestic demand remains a weak link in his recovery. Household spending in China has consistently lagged expectations, ”he says.

Chinese consumers are keeping their hands on the purse. Retail sales growth in China slowed significantly in April, Tannenbaum said. China was the first to exit lockdowns, but the expected rapid recovery in all spending is lagging behind.

ASML popular

Chip funds lead in the AEX. Chip machine maker ASML increases 1.7% with semiconductor ASMI, chip supplier Iron takes 1.6% profit. Retail property fund Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield wins 1.8%.

Insurer ASR records a 0.9% loss on the bottom. NN Group , corrected for the ex-dvidend quotation, scores 0.2% lower. Aegon loses 0.7%. Heavyweights Unilever (-0.5%) in Shell (-0.3%) prices in red.

PostNL leads with 2.3% profit in the Midkap. Basic-Fit fitness chain strengthens 1.7%.

Air France KLM drops. The European Union is considering sanctions against Belarus after a journalist was taken off a Ryanair flight. Many airlines make a detour, KLM sees ‘no safety risk’ and remains active in the airspace.

KLM will resume other flights to Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said the Irish airline could be at 90% pre-corona bookings in September.

Stand at the bottom Elves (-0.7%) in JD Peet’s (-0,5%).

Hunter Douglas beams

AScX fund Hunter Douglas pops more 20% up to € 83.10 after the sharp increase in the takeover bid. CEO and chairman of the supervisory board Ralph Sonnenberg of the window dresser increased the previous offer from € 64 per share to € 82. His investment company Bergson Beheer already owns 83% of the shares.

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