Amsterdam Stock Exchange (AEX) 2025: History, Functionality & Current Market Insights

What Is the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (AEX) .AS?

Established in 1602 alongside the Dutch East India Company (VOC), the Amsterdam Stock Exchange holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating stock exchange worldwide. It emerged to support the burgeoning European trade by providing financiers a platform to invest in global ventures.

The Dutch East India Company pioneered the joint-stock company model, issuing shares to fund its expeditions. This innovation necessitated a regulated marketplace where investors could safely trade shares, leading to the creation of the AEX.

Prior to the AEX, various regions had informal systems for asset trading, but the Amsterdam Stock Exchange was the first formalized institution resembling modern stock exchanges.

Number of Companies

As of May 7, 2019, the AEX listed 24 companies.

Fundamentals of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (AEX) .AS

Throughout its extensive history, the Amsterdam Stock Exchange has undergone multiple changes in ownership and governance. In 1997, it merged with the European Options Exchange (EOE), adopting the blue-chip index name AEX, short for 'Amsterdam Exchange.'

In September 2000, the AEX combined forces with the Brussels and Paris Stock Exchanges, forming Euronext Amsterdam, Europe's largest cash equities market. It later became part of NYSE Euronext before spinning off as an independent entity in 2014. By 2017, Euronext ranked as the sixth largest combined stock exchange globally by market capitalization.

Key Index

The AEX remains one of the primary indexes within Euronext.

Equity Indexes of the AEX

Euronext Amsterdam features three main equity indexes: the blue-chip AEX, the mid-cap AMX, and the small-cap AScX. The AEX, launched in 1983, is the most actively traded and influential, comprising over 20 leading Dutch companies such as Unilever, ING Group, Philips, and Royal Dutch Shell. It stands alongside notable European indices like Brussels' BEL 20, Paris' CAC 40, and Germany's DAX.

Key Takeaways

• The Amsterdam Stock Exchange, founded in 1602, is the world's oldest operating stock exchange.
• In 2000, it merged with Brussels and Paris exchanges to create Euronext Amsterdam.
• Its main indexes include the blue-chip AEX, mid-cap AMX, and small-cap AScX.
• More than 20 leading Dutch companies are traded on the exchange.

Real-World Application

The AEX index composition is reviewed quarterly, with a comprehensive evaluation each March and interim assessments in June, September, and December. Changes take effect on the third Friday of the respective month. Prior to 2008, adjustments occurred only annually in March.

The AEX is a market capitalization-weighted index, with individual company weightings capped at 15%. Weightings are based on closing prices as of March 1, and during quarterly reviews, adjustments maintain stability without re-capping.

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