Belgium: Home of the Oldest Stock Exchange

Considering that the oldest stock exchange is in Antwerp, Belgium, it is surprising that there aren’t more Belgium stocks available for trading in the U.S. Here are some interesting facts about Belgium:

1. The Antwerp Bourse, the oldest stock exchange in the world, was founded in 1460.
2. It hosts the headquarters of the European Union.
3. It is ranked number 13 in GDP per capita.
4. It is ranked number 13 in the Human Development Index..
5. It has the the third-highest proportion of 18 to 21 year olds enrolled in postsecondary education of all OCD countries.
6. It has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German.
7. It is one of the world's ten largest trading nations.
8. Its primary exports are are automobiles, food, iron, steel, finished diamonds, textiles, plastics, petroleum products, and nonferrous metals.
9. It was the first continental European country to experience the Industrial Revolution.
10. In 2006, their budget was balanced.

Here are some Belgium stocks worth examining that trade in the United States:

Delhaize Group (DEG), a Brussels based company which trades on the New York Stock Exchange, is an operator of supermarkets in North America, Europe, and southeast Asia. In the U.S., they own Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar, Harveys, Hannaford Bros., Kash n' Karry and Sweetbay. The P/E is 17.36 and it pays a yield of 1.4%.

Agfa Gevaert NV (AFGVF.PK) is an imaging technologies company which develops, manufactures and distributes analog and digital image products to businesses. Their consumer film and camera business, which was the company’s original business, was sold off in 2004 and later went bankrupt. The stock has a P/E of 23.1.

Option NV SA ADR (OPNVY.PK) develops and sells wireless communication devices, data cards, USB dongles, wireless routers and embedded modules. The stock has a P/E of 14.33.

RHJ International SA (RHJIF.PK) is a diversified holding company which has extensive investments in Japan. Profit margins and operating margins have been negative.

Solvay S.A. ADR (SVYSY.PK) is a pharmaceuticals, chemicals and plastics company. They produce drugs for cardiometabolic, neuroscience, flu vaccines, pancreatic enzymes, gastroenterology, and hormone therapy. The stock has a P/E of 13.01 and pays a yield of 6.1%.

Dexia SA Belgium (DXBGF.PK) is a retail bank which serves individuals, and small and medium size businesses. They also provide asset management, insurance, and investor services. Operating margin is 97.32% and return on average equity is 15.39%.

iShares MSCI Belgium Index (EWK) is an exchange traded fund which allows you to play the Belgian stock market with diversification. It pays a yield of 1.59%.

Author does not own any of the above.

By Fred Fuld at Stockerblog.com