Business

Birth of the Modern Stock Market: How the Dutch East India Company Pioneered Public Investment

Published

1 month ago

April 13, 2025

RTX

Over four centuries ago, the foundations of modern stock trading were laid by the Dutch East India Company (VOC), marking a turning point in financial history. Backed by the Dutch Republic, the VOC became the first company to offer ownership to the public through an initial public offering (IPO) on March 20, 1602.

The company’s charter invited “all the residents of these lands” to purchase shares, opening investment opportunities beyond elite circles. Unlike previous trade ventures that dissolved after single voyages, the VOC’s model allowed shares to be traded continuously, creating what many historians consider the world’s first stock market.

“The VOC introduced two key innovations: open ownership without a minimum investment, and the ability to trade shares,” said Dutch historian Marteen Prak. These features revolutionized finance and made investing accessible to everyday citizens. One such investor was Neeltgen Cornelis, a maid who invested 100 guilders — a significant sum for someone earning just 50 cents a day. “It was quite common,” said economic historian Jan Luiten van Zanden. “Carpenters and farmers were among the many ordinary people investing.”

Trading took place at various public venues including Amsterdam’s New Bridge, the Hendrick de Keyser Exchange, and Dam Square, where even after-hours transactions occurred based on news and market rumors.

The VOC IPO, open throughout August 1602, raised nearly 3.7 million guilders from 1,143 investors. The inclusion of average citizens was reportedly a requirement set by Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, the Dutch Republic’s Grand Pensionary, as part of a larger strategy to consolidate multiple trading companies into one powerful commercial and military entity.

However, early investors faced years without returns. The VOC didn’t pay its first dividend until 1609 — and even then, it was not in cash but in mace, a spice sourced from the East Indies. “It was a kind of compromise solution,” explained van Zanden. Dividends later included cloves, bonds, and eventually cash, beginning in 1646.

Tensions rose further when former VOC director Isaac Le Maire orchestrated what is now recognized as the world’s first short-selling campaign in 1608. Using forward contracts — early versions of today’s futures — Le Maire bet against the company’s shares, contributing to market volatility and investor unrest.

Despite these early challenges, the VOC continued to innovate in global trade and finance for over 200 years. It remained a dominant force until the late 18th century when growing competition from British and French colonial powers led to its decline. Eventually, the Dutch government took over the company’s shares to prevent bankruptcy.

“The VOC’s success spanned a remarkable period,” said van Zanden. “Its eventual downfall was less a failure of the company itself and more a reflection of shifting global powers.”

From pioneering IPOs to shaping shareholder culture, the VOC’s legacy endures in today’s global financial markets.

Business

Sixt Shares Dip After Mixed Q1 Results Despite Revenue Growth Abroad

Published

5 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Web Reporter

Shares in German car rental and mobility firm Sixt fell nearly 4% by midday Tuesday following the release of a mixed first-quarter earnings report that highlighted stagnating revenue in its home market.

The company reported total revenue of €858.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a 10% year-on-year increase. While overall figures showed improvement, revenue in Germany remained flat at €243.3 million, raising concerns among investors. In contrast, the company’s performance in the broader European market was stronger, with revenue climbing 13.8% to €296.5 million compared to the same period last year.

Despite narrowing losses, Sixt remains in the red. Earnings before taxes (EBT) stood at -€17.6 million, an improvement from the -€27.5 million reported in the first quarter of 2024. Net income after taxes also showed progress, coming in at -€12.6 million, compared to -€23.1 million a year earlier.

In its earnings statement, the company reaffirmed its long-term strategy focused on international growth and financial turnaround. “Sixt is maintaining its expansion course for all regional segments, with profitable growth remaining the top priority,” the report stated.

Looking ahead, the company remains optimistic about demand for its mobility services throughout the year. Sixt confirmed its full-year guidance for 2025, projecting revenue growth between 5% and 10% and targeting a significantly improved EBT margin of around 10%, compared to last year.

Sixt’s results come as the company continues to navigate a challenging economic environment, marked by shifting travel patterns and inflationary pressures in its core markets. Analysts suggest that while the international momentum is encouraging, the flat performance in Germany may continue to weigh on investor sentiment if not addressed in the coming quarters.

Business

Saudi Aramco Profits Dip Amid Falling Oil Prices as Kingdom Commits Massive US Investments

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2025

Web Reporter

Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Aramco reported a 4.6% drop in first-quarter profits on Sunday, amid declining global oil prices and growing financial pressure to meet the kingdom’s ambitious development goals, including massive investments in the United States.

Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer, posted a net income of $26 billion (€23.4 billion) for the first quarter of 2025, down from $27.2 billion (€24.5 billion) during the same period last year. Quarterly revenues came in at $108.1 billion (€97.4 billion), slightly up from $107.2 billion (€96.5 billion) a year earlier, according to a filing on the Tadawul stock exchange in Riyadh.

The dip in earnings comes as global energy markets remain volatile. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, recently traded at just over $63 (€56.7) a barrel—down from peaks of over $80 (€72) last year. Aramco’s stock, which once traded at highs near $8 (€7.2), has also slipped in recent months, closing Sunday at just over $6 (€5.4) per share.

Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser acknowledged the challenges in a statement, saying “global trade dynamics affected energy markets in the first quarter of 2025, with economic uncertainty impacting oil prices.”

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has pledged to invest $600 billion (€540.2 billion) in the United States during President Donald Trump’s second term. Trump, expected to arrive in Riyadh on Tuesday for his first official overseas trip since returning to office, has publicly called for that figure to reach $1 trillion (€900 billion).

The investment pledge coincides with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious domestic agenda. Central to those plans is Neom—a $500 billion (€450.1 billion) futuristic megacity being developed along the Red Sea—and preparations for hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which will require tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure spending.

To help fund these initiatives, Saudi Arabia may have to dip into its sovereign reserves or increase borrowing, especially as oil revenues come under pressure. The recent decision by the OPEC+ alliance to increase oil production by 411,000 barrels per day next month is expected to complicate efforts to stabilize prices.

Aramco remains one of the world’s most valuable companies, with a market capitalization exceeding $1.6 trillion (€1.4 trillion), trailing only a handful of U.S. tech giants. While a portion of its shares trade publicly, the majority is held by the Saudi government, providing a crucial financial pillar for state-led development and the royal family’s wealth.

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Business

Eastern Europe Leads in Real Wage Growth in 2024, Turkey Tops the Chart

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2025

Web Reporter

Real wages rose sharply across much of Europe in 2024, with Eastern European nations recording the strongest growth, according to the latest OECD Taxing Wages 2025 report and Eurostat data. Out of 32 European countries analyzed, only four experienced a drop in real wages after adjusting for inflation.

Turkey posted the most significant gains, with nominal gross wages surging by 82.9% year-on-year—driven largely by the country’s sky-high inflation rate of 58.3%. Despite the inflation, Turkey recorded the highest real wage growth in Europe at 15.5%. However, the figure has drawn scrutiny, with opposition figures and former officials from the Turkish Statistical Institute questioning the accuracy of official inflation data.

Romania and Bulgaria followed Turkey in the real wage growth rankings. Romania saw a 20.9% increase in nominal wages, translating to a 14.3% real wage gain thanks to a comparatively low inflation rate of 5.8%. Bulgaria reported a 9.2% rise in real wages, with nominal wages up 12% and inflation held to 2.6%.

Eight European countries reported real wage growth above 7%. Besides Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria, this group includes Malta (9%), Hungary (8.9%), Latvia (8.4%), Poland (7.8%), and Lithuania (7.2%).

In Southern Europe, wage growth was more modest but still positive. Italy led the region with a 2.7% increase in real wages, followed by Cyprus (2.1%), Spain (1.9%), and Greece (1.7%).

Among Europe’s five largest economies, Italy also recorded the highest real wage growth. Germany followed at 2.2%, ahead of Spain (1.9%), the UK (1.6%), and France, which reported the lowest increase at just 0.7%.

Only four countries saw real wage declines in 2024: Belgium (-1%), Finland (-0.9%), Iceland (-0.7%), and Luxembourg (-0.4%). Finland was the sole country where nominal wages slightly declined, falling by €14 compared to the previous year. However, with inflation under 1%, the resulting drop in real wages was relatively small.

The figures cover gross wages before taxes and social contributions and reflect the average earnings of a single worker without children. While 2024 brought a strong rebound in wage growth for many European workers after years of stagnation, wide regional disparities persist—underscoring the uneven impact of inflation and wage policy across the continent.