Skip to main content
The Actuary: The magazine of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries - return to the homepage Logo of The Actuary website
  • Search
  • Visit The Actuary Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit The Actuary Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @TheActuaryMag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Logo of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Main navigation

  • News
  • Features
    • General Features
    • Interviews
    • Students
    • Opinion
  • Topics
  • Knowledge
    • Business Skills
    • Careers
    • Events
    • Predictions by The Actuary
    • Whitepapers
    • Moody's - Climate Risk Insurers series
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
  • Jobs
  • IFoA
    • CEO Comment
    • IFoA News
    • People & Social News
    • President Comment
  • Archive
Quick links:
  • Home
  • The Actuary Issues
  • March 2017
03

Investors breathe a sigh of relief at Dutch election result

Open-access content Thursday 16th March 2017 — updated 5.50pm, Wednesday 29th April 2020

After the Dutch PM won the most parliamentary seats in yesterday’s election, a significant increase in risk aversion across European equity markets may have been avoided, according to Schroders.

2

The prospect of Geert Wilders' Freedom Party gaining power in the Netherlands may have seen the country leave the EU, euro, and increase restrictions on immigration - all which could have had an adverse effect on the market.

However, it is thought that the Dutch result could be an indicator of the anti-EU agenda losing momentum, and that this should be taken as a positive for European markets.

Schroders European equities fund manager, Sam Twidale, said: "The market should take some confidence from the outcome of the Dutch election, as it's the first sign that mainland European economies may turn against the political parties with more anti-EU policies.

"This result could reflect a stronger European economy, and we believe there are strong arguments to be positive on the outlook for European equities.

"The cyclical recovery across Europe is clearly gaining momentum, with lead indicators remaining positive and signs of improving confidence among corporates and consumers."

The value of the Euro surged after the result of the Dutch election became clear today, however attention is now expected to shift to France where a similar threat to the one posed by Wilders exists.

Marine Le Pen's eurosceptic Front National party is currently leading in the polls in France, however the outcome will not be decided until 7 May, leaving enough time for circumstances to change. 

Schroders senior European economist, Azad Zangana, said: "Investors will now turn their attention to the upcoming French presidential election, which arguably has a lower probability to disappoint, but could have bigger consequences for the EU should Marine Le Pen win.

"Le Pen's party has the most support of any single party, but the two stage electoral system in France means that top two candidates face each other in a run-off. This is when Le Pen is then expected to lose by quite some margin.

"Of course, opinion polls have been less reliable of late, and so investors are likely to remain cautious on Europe until political risk dies down."


Sign up to our free newsletter here and receive a weekly roundup of news concerning the actuarial profession

This article appeared in our March 2017 issue of The Actuary .
Click here to view this issue

You may also be interested in...

2

City job openings fall by a quarter in Brexit aftermath

The number of financial services jobs available in the City of London fell by 23% between January and February this year, according to figures by Morgan McKinley Financial Services.
Thursday 16th March 2017
Open-access content
2

UK low-carbon economy market could reach £1.4trn in 2050

The UK market for low-carbon goods and services could grow to between £510bn and £1,400bn by 2050, according to a report by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) released today.
Thursday 16th March 2017
Open-access content
2

Government U-turn on NIC rise a 'missed opportunity'

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced today that self-employed people would not have to pay the increased national insurance contributions (NICs) he revealed in his spring budget a week ago.
Wednesday 15th March 2017
Open-access content
2

Global insurance industry M&A activity falls in 2016

The number of completed mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the global insurance industry fell by 13% from 2015 to 2016, according to a report by Clyde & Co.
Friday 17th March 2017
Open-access content
2

Significant flaws in Solvency II hurting consumers

The current Solvency II formula used to calculate risk margins is causing higher premium rates, reducing competition, and is poor value for consumers, according to analysis by Willis Towers Watson (WLTW).
Friday 17th March 2017
Open-access content
2

Lack of financial advice leaving pensioners at risk of 'mis-buying crisis'

Six in ten people aged over 55 do not take financial advice when they retire, potentially losing out on thousands of pounds, according to research from LV.
Wednesday 15th March 2017
Open-access content
Filed in
03
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Senior Reserving Analyst

London (City of)
Negotiable
Reference
149485

Senior GI Modeler - Capital and Planning

London (Central)
£ excellent
Reference
149436

Risk Oversight Manager

Flexible / hybrid with a minimum of 2 days per week office-based
£ excellent
Reference
149435
See all jobs »
 
 

Today's top reads

 
 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to The Actuary

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
Spread-iPad-slantB-june.png

Topics

  • Data Science
  • Investment
  • Risk & ERM
  • Pensions
  • Environment
  • Soft skills
  • General Insurance
  • Regulation Standards
  • Health care
  • Technology
  • Reinsurance
  • Global
  • Life insurance
​
FOLLOW US
The Actuary on LinkedIn
@TheActuaryMag on Twitter
Facebook: The Actuary Magazine
CONTACT US
The Actuary
Tel: (+44) 020 7880 6200
​

IFoA

About IFoA
Become an actuary
IFoA Events
About membership

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to The Actuary Magazine
Contribute

The Actuary Jobs

Actuarial job search
Pensions jobs
General insurance jobs
Solvency II jobs

© 2023 The Actuary. The Actuary is published on behalf of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries by Redactive Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ