The value of investments held by Dutch households reached a record high of €185 billion in the second quarter of 2024, according to new figures from the central bank.

The increase was mainly driven by rising global equity markets, which have been falling again in the third quarter, the central bank said. The Dutch blue chip AEX index rose 4.7% to 923 points in the second quarter of the year.

Overall, the value of securities held by Dutch households increased by €4.1 billion compared to the first quarter of 2024, to €185.0 billion (+2.3%). This set a record high – the previous peak of €182.7 billion dates back to December 2021.

Investment funds make up the bulk of Dutch investments but investments in listed shares also reached a new record of €63.4 billion. This was mainly driven by investments in domestic and foreign tech companies, such as Alphabet, Apple, ASMI, ASML and Nvidia, the central bank said.

Dutch households have traditionally invested the most in Shell.

The Dutch also have €480.8 billion in savings and €116.4 billion stored on ordinary bank accounts, the central bank said.