AMSTERDAM, May 7 (Reuters) – Dutch food ingredients company
CSM has put its bakery supplies unit up for sale to
focus on more profitable food and chemical products based on
natural ingredients such as sugar.

The world’s largest bakery products supplier had come under
pressure to restructure and improve its performance as it was
hit by weak consumer spending in Europe and North America and
soaring prices for ingredients such as wheat and sugar.

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch food and chemicals group DSM (DSMN.AS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is buying U.S. medical device-maker Kensey Nash Corp (KNSY.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) for $360 million to strengthen its biomedical business, leaving it with plenty of cash for more deals.

Kensey Nash’s medical devices and biomaterials are used in cardiology, spinal and general surgery. Its best-known product, AngioSeal, is used by doctors to close punctures made in arteries, for example after using a catheter for angioplasty.

AMSTERDAM, May 3 (Reuters) – Dutch food and chemicals group
DSM is to strengthen its biomedical business after
agreeing an all-cash deal for U.S. medical device-maker Kensey
Nash Corp valued at about $335 million.

Kensey Nash’s medical devices and biomaterials are used in
cardiology, spinal and general surgery, and include bone cement
used to stimulate bone growth and screws used in sports
medicine.

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch lender Rabobank is reviewing options for its fund management arm, including a possible sale which could fetch as much as 2 billion euros as it strives to meet new capital rules aimed at preventing a repeat of the 2008-9 financial crisis.

A spokesman for the cooperatively-owned bank said on Friday it was reviewing “strategic options” for fund management arm Robeco, confirming a Dutch media report, but declining to comment on any of the details.

AMSTERDAM, April 25 (Reuters) – The Netherlands has called
an election for September 12, leaving the country open to months
of political and economic uncertainty after the government
collapsed in a row over budget cuts that are needed to meet
strict EU limits.

The euro zone’s fifth-largest economy has been one of its
most stable but plunged into political crisis on Monday, when
the government lost the support of its main ally, becoming a
victim of growing resistance to EU-imposed austerity.

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch Queen Beatrix has asked for parliament to be dissolved so that elections can be held on September 12, leaving the country open to months of political and economic uncertainty after the government collapsed in a row over budget cuts.

The triple-A rated Netherlands has been one of the euro zone’s most stable countries but has been plunged into a political crisis, worrying financial markets focused on the region’s debt troubles.

AMSTERDAM, April 24 (Reuters) – Dutch long-term borrowing
costs crept up at a bond sale on Tuesday after the government
collapsed in a crisis over budget cuts but there was good demand
from investors attracted by its top-notch credit rating.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte tendered his government’s
resignation on Monday after a dispute with the populist Freedom
Party over spending cuts that are needed to meet stringent
European Union budget limits.

AMSTERDAM/ATHENS, April 23 (Reuters) – For months Dutch
Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager has subjected Athens to
regular dressings-down on the dire state of its finances. Now,
with his coalition brought to its knees by a row over budget
cuts, Greeks may detect a whiff of hypocrisy.

Even by the standards of the blunt-talking Dutch, De Jager
hasn’t minced his words in demanding that Greek leaders submit
to EU demands for punitive austerity measures – or forget about
getting any help to avoid bankruptcy.

AMSTERDAM, April 23 (Reuters) – Philips Electronics
reported better-than-expected quarterly results, buoyed by
one-off gains and a stronger performance at its consumer and
healthcare businesses, in the first signs of a long-awaited
turnaround under new management.

But the Dutch group warned that the outlook for the rest of
the year was still worrying given the weak economic environment,
as fragile consumer spending and government budget cuts in its
key markets have a direct impact on its three main businesses in
consumer electronics, medical equipment, and lighting systems.

AMSTERDAM, April 23 (Reuters) – Philips Electronics
is expected to report a 35 percent rise in quarterly net profit
on Monday, supported by a stronger performance at its consumer
electronics division after a year of disappointing results and a
string of setbacks.

Investors want to see evidence of a turnaround at the Dutch
group now that Chief Executive Frans van Houten has been in the
job for a year and will be looking for signs that management
changes and restructuring measures are starting to pay off.