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Dutch equities close lower

AMSTERDAM: Dutch shares closed lower, dribbling away in dull trading as operators took weak world equity markets as a signal to bank profits after last week's record breaking AEX share index run.

"London's falling, the Dow is weak, it's all adding up to a bit of profit-taking," said one dealer, adding, however, that the underlying tone was still firm. "It's been a disappointing day but I don't think there's that much to worry about."

The AEX index finished 3.45 points lower at 457.96, losing touch with last week's trading high of 466.14. Dealers see the index making an effort to get back to that peak soon.

Another dealer said business throughout the session had been quiet. "There's just been a complete lack of interest. We started out weak and kept slipping all day."

Dealers said results from industrial systems and services group Stork disappointed the market and did little to raise investors' flagging spirits.

Stork shares plunged 2.30 guilders to 42.60 on news first half net profit was 33.2 million guilders, up from a previous 26.8 million. Stork reiterated a previous forecast that 1995 full year net profit would rise on 1994's 81 million guilders.

Shares in publisher Telegraaf finished one guilder higher at 211.00, closing before news that first half net profit was 54.4 million guilders against 47.8 million. The company added that it expected 1995 profits to be higher.

Among the leading dollar earners Royal Dutch closed 1.30 guilders down at 196.10, Philips put on 20 cents to 73.70, while Philips unit PolyGram dropped 2.60 guilders to 100.10.

Cyclical chemicals firms came under pressure once more with Akzo sliding 3.40 guilders to 196.50. KLM slipped 30 cents to 54.30. The airline announced it signed a new cooperation pact with Indian regional airline Jet Airways.-Reuter