The Netherlands is a very prosperous country, and its capital Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The Dutch are also fond of investing, and over the past few years, some stocks have proven to be particularly popular among local investors. Let’s look at the five most popular stocks in the Netherlands.
Unilever
Unilever is a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods company headquartered in London, England. It is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, with products sold in over 190 countries. Unilever has more than 400 brands, including Dove, Lipton, and Omo. The company employs over 169,000 people and generated a revenue of €52.7 billion in 2016.
Unilever so popular among Dutch investors is its stability and consistent dividend payouts. The company has been paying dividends for over 80 years and has increased its dividend payments every year for the past 20 years. In addition, Unilever recently announced a €5 billion share buyback program which is set to start in2018.
Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate headquartered in Amsterdam. The company was founded in 1891 and is one of the largest electronics companies in the world. Philips employed over 75,000 people and had a revenue of €26.9 billion in 2016.
Philips is famous among Dutch investors because it is a well-established company with a long history of dividend payments. In addition, Philips has a strong presence in China, generating around 20% of its revenue. With the Chinese economy increasing, Philips will benefit significantly from this trend.
KoninklijkeAhold Delhaize
KoninklijkeAhold Delhaize is aDutch-Belgian multinational food retailing company headquartered in Zaandam, Netherlands. KoninklijkeAhold Delhaize operates more than 6,500 stores in 11 countries and employs over 375,000 people.
KoninklijkeAhold Delhaize is popular among Dutch investors because of its strong dividend history. The company has increased its dividend payments for 19 consecutive years and currently has a dividend yield of 2.6%. In addition, KoninklijkeAhold Delhaize is one of the largest food retailers in Europe, with a strong market position.
Heineken
It is a Dutch brewing company headquartered in Amsterdam. The company was founded in 1864 and is the world’s second-largest brewer by volume. Heineken produces over 250 beer brands, including Heineken, Amstel, and Tiger. The company employed over 73,000 people and had a revenue of €20.8 billion in 2016.
Heineken is popular among Dutch investors for its strong brand identity and global reach. The company has a presence in over 170 countries and sells more than 200 million hectolitres of beer each year. In addition, Heineken has a long history of dividend payments and currently has a dividend yield of 2.1%.
Royal Dutch Shell
Royal Dutch Shell is a British-Dutch multinational oil and gas company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the second-largest oil company globally, operating in more than 70 countries. Royal Dutch Shell employed over 87,000 people and had a revenue of €240 billion in 2016.
Royal Dutch Shell is famous among Dutch investors for its high dividend yield and strong cash flow generation. Royal Dutch Shell generates a significant amount of cash each year to repurchase shares and pay dividends.
These are the five most popular stocks in the Netherlands today. These companies are large, well-established businesses with solid fundamentals, and they also all have attractive dividend yields.
How to invest in Dutch stocks, including a few tips for beginners
If you’re a beginner investor, the best way to start is to open an account with a Dutch broker for investing in stocks. Some of the most popular brokers in the Netherlands are BinckBank, Degiro, Saxo Bank, and Lynx Broker.
When choosing a broker, it’s important to compare fees and commissions. Remember, you’re looking for a broker that will charge you low fees so that you can keep more of your profits.
Once you’ve opened an account, you can buy and sell stocks. When buying stocks, it’s important to remember to diversify your portfolio. Invest in different stocks from different countries to reduce your risk.
One final tip for beginners is to set up a budget and stick to it. When investing, it’s essential only to use money that you can afford to lose. Now that you know the most popular stocks in the Netherlands and how to invest in them, you will become a successful investor. Just remember to diversify your portfolio, stay disciplined, and don’t forget to have fun.
