The Amsterdam Exchanges NV - An Overview

The Amsterdam Exchanges NV is the oldest stock exchange in the world and has been a major influence in the development of other exchanges. Indeed, the New York Stock Exchange is based on the Dutch system reflecting 200 years of friendship between the two countries. Amsterdam started its stockbroking business nearly 400 years ago by offering investors the opportunity to buy a share in the cargoes being transported to and from the East Indies.

This method of sharing risk and reward became widely adopted and as a result, the Amsterdam Exchanges NV was instrumental in forming many of today's Dutch trading companies. A large element of Dutch companies reflect this international background. Many of the larger companies such as Unilever, Philips and Shell became international stocks rather than just Dutch securities.