Benelux Stocks: ASML Holding, Heineken, Boskalis, Draka, Pharming, Qurius

The Amsterdam Exchanges Index declined 0.6 percent to 325.81 at 2:44 p.m. local time. Belgium’s Bel20 Index fell 0.4 percent, to 2,502.88.

The following were among the most active stocks in the Benelux markets today. Symbols are in parentheses.

Dutch Stocks:

ASML Holding NV (ASML NA) rose 2.1 percent to 22.77 euros, gaining for the third time this week. The maker of machines that produce chips for Apple Inc.’s iPods and Nokia Oyj’s mobile phones climbed after Applied Materials Inc., the world’s largest producer of chipmaking equipment, forecast fourth-quarter net income that beat analysts’ estimates.

Draka Holding NV (DRAK NA) fell 1 percent to 10.95 euros, falling for a second time this week. Europe’s third-largest cable maker reported a first-half operating profit of 12.2 million euros ($15.7 million) compared with 23.1 million euros a year earlier.

Heineken NV (HEIA NA) gained 0.7 percent to 35.18 euros, rising for a third day. The world’s third-largest brewer by volume said that its acquisition of Femsa Cerveza should boost earnings per share after two years. Heineken added that the unit posted 2009 earnings in line with a shareholders’ circular published March 23.

Pharming Group NV (PHARM NA) declined 3.9 percent to 17.2 euro cents, the stock’s lowest price since July 6. The drug developer that uses milk of genetically modified rabbits to make medicine said its outstanding shares rose by about 8.4 million shares because of a bond conversion and as it raised 750,000 euros by selling stock.

Qurius NV (QRIUS NA) fell 3.8 percent to 25.5 euro cents, the shares’ lowest price this month. The Dutch computer-services company forecast software sales in the Netherlands will continue to suffer in the second half as customers remain reluctant to invest in information technology products and services.

Royal Boskalis Westminster NV (BOKA NA) gained 2.3 percent to 33.78 euros, its highest price since the end of June. The world’s biggest dredging company had first-half net income of 123.9 million euros, compared with 102.7 million euros a year earlier. It also raised its profit forecast for this year as orders increased for oil and gas projects.

To contact the reporter on this story: Fred Pals in Amsterdam at fpals@bloomberg.net;

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