CVC, InPost join expanding Euronext blue chip index

Amsterdam’s blue chip stock exchange index AEX will expand from 25 to 30 listings on 22 September, exchange operator Euronext has confirmed. The decision to increase the size of the index was first announced in March.

Coffee producer JDE Peet’s, meal delivery firm Just Eat Takeaway, private equity house CVC, Polish parcel service InPost and real estate fund WDP will all join the main index on that date, Euronext said.

The inclusion of JDE Peet’s and Just Eat Takeaway is striking because both companies are expected to be taken over soon, meaning they may disappear from the index again within months.

The promotions also open five places in the Midkap index, which will be filled by metals group AMG, trading house Flow Traders, investment company HAL, marketing agency Havas and pharmaceuticals firm Pharming Group.

At the same time, the smallcap index will be reduced to 20 companies and renamed the Amsterdam Next 20.

Euronext Amsterdam chief executive René van Vlerken told reporters the new name is a better fit. “It shows these are the companies to watch, and removes the negative connotation people may have with small caps,” he said.

Euronext operates exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal.