Around the bourses

Press, 3 February 1986, Page 32

Around the bourses

Amsterdam Dutch share prices ended lower on Friday; confidence seeped back into the market following a midweek plunge on concern about lower world oil prices. Brokers said prices dropped sharply on anxiety about the effect of lower oil revenues on Dutch State revenues, compounded by uncertainty over interest rate and foreign exchange trends. Tokyo Share prices in Tokyo finished the week on a strong note in active purchases rotating among speculative, biotechnology, and domestic oriented issues. Export oriented issues, which came under pressure earlier in the week, eased on continued concern about the direction of the yen. Zurich Stock prices in Zurich edged lower as selling pressure in the banking sector extended over the rest of the market. Leading industrials also lost ground throughout the week but managed to hold steady on Friday despite moderately active selling.

Hong Kong Institutional selling pressure in Hong Kong and concern about the health of second and third line companies sent the market lower throughout the week. Brokers said European institutions were sellers in late Friday trading, when the market dropped sharply, utilities recording the biggest losses. Johannesburg A sharp rise in bullion prices sent gold shares higher in Johannesburg on Monday, but interest waned throughout the week as investors were sidelined ahead of President Botha’s Opening of Parliament speech. The market ended the week narrowly mixed with little evident reaction to the speech, which failed to deliver announcements of any major reform. Frankfurt Share prices lost ground throughout the week as a huge bout of profit taking gave way to selling inspired by uncertainty about the direction of the dollar. Banks were particularly hard hit by nervousness surrounding recent rights issues although chemicals attracted support on Friday from lower world oil prices.