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Dutch shares edge up

BRUSSELS: Dutch shares slightly higher at the midsession with mild gains from index heavyweights serving to underpin the market. Little fresh news around and market lacking in direction ahead of long Easter weekend. May be vulnerable to more profit taking this afternoon but a firm start to Wall Street would help sentiment. Dutch PTT pressured after announcing an 11 pct jump in 1995 profits yesterday but was cautious on outlook for 1996.

AEX of leading shares up 1.79 points at 536.14.

Publisher Elsevier up 0.50 at 26.00, Oil giant Royal Dutch up 2.10 guilders at 240.20, Bank ABN AMRO up 0.50 at 83.40.

Dutch PTT (KPN) down 0.30 guilders at 65.50.-Reuter