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Dutch share drifts higher

Amsterdam: Amsterdam shares drift higher on a sunny Friday afternoon, helped by mildly stronger London shares, stable dollar.

Gains vulnerable as volumes low. First round of half year figures disappoint, keep investors sidelined. Market driven by professionals, but cautious taking big positions.

AEX index +0.41 at 459.01 points, off high of 459.86. Royal Dutch -0.90 at 195.10 guilders after H1 figs Thursday Akzo Nobel stable at 200.30 guilders after shedding 7.70 guilders on Thursday on weak first half year profits.

Elsevier testing highs, +0.10 at 20.10, off record at 20.40, as battle for its newspaper unit Dagbladunie heats up.-Reuter