Amsterdam stock exchange opens lower amid ABN AMRO divestment

The Amsterdam stock exchange opened lower on Wednesday, driven by losses in the semiconductor sector and news regarding the Dutch government's stake in ABN AMRO. The AEX index saw a decline following recent record highs.

ABN AMRO shares fell by more than 1 percent after the Dutch state announced plans to further reduce its ownership from 20.7 percent to 10.5 percent through the sale of share certificates. This follows a period of strong share price growth for the bank, which was nationalized during the 2008 financial crisis.

In the technology sector, chip equipment supplier Besi dropped 3.8 percent after UBS downgraded its investment rating from buy to sell. Semiconductor specialist ASM International N.V. also saw a marginal decline ahead of its scheduled third-quarter 2026 results announcement.

European markets are also monitoring French fiscal developments. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure indicated a willingness to use constitutional powers to implement budget cuts if negotiations with parliament stall, maintaining that the budget deficit must not exceed 5 percent of GDP.