EURO.NM - the pan-European network of stock markets for high growth companies - today announced its consolidated market statistics to 30th September 1997 and unveiled plans for closer market integration.

EURO.NM Market Statistics

At the end of September, following the admission of UCC NV (IT services) in Amsterdam, Qiagen NV (biotechnology) in Frankfurt and Quantel SA (laser technology) in Paris, EURO.NM reached a landmark total of 50 company listings. Overall EURO.NM market capitalisation grew to US$ 5.5 billion, with issuers raising a total of US$ 860 million new capital from a broad range of international investors. Of the 50 companies listed, five were dual-listed with Nasdaq, two with the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in London, and one with the Toronto Stock Exchange. Average market turnover during the three-month period ranged between US$ 20-30 million per day with all stocks trading regularly. Share price performance has also been encouraging, with the average increase since listing measuring 44 per cent. Top performers included Belvedere (Paris, +563%), Mobilcom (Frankfurt, +289%), BVRP Software (Paris, +225%), LHS Group (Frankfurt, +199%), Olitec (Paris, +197%) and Mensch und Maschine (Frankfurt, +158%).

A total of 70 listings is anticipated by the end of 1997.

Closer Market Integration

Following the launch and early success of its individual member markets, EURO.NM is now planning to take its first concrete steps towards closer market integration. In addition to a likely tightening of its existing Markets Harmonisation Agreement setting out common admission, regulatory and operational standards, EURO.NM has already commenced implementation of a telecommunications network to support inter-market linkages. By the end of 1997, it is planned to deliver a common EURO.NM data feed and to introduce an official EURO.NM index, both of which will be distributed widely by EURO.NM and numerous financial information providers.

EURO.NM is also planning to commence its phased introduction of common membership and electronic trading system linkages, with the ultimate goal of creating a seamless market network providing transparent access to all EURO.NM stocks via local market gateways. The first such market link-up will occur between Paris and Brussels, again by the end of 1997, followed by Amsterdam and Frankfurt in 1998. All projects are funded, resourced and underway.

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For further information please contact Thom Hoedemakers, Amsterdam Exchanges AEX Amsterdam: 00 31 20 550 4540 or Paddy Manning, St James Corporate Communications London: 44 171 436 4101.