Most small Dutch investors oppose the takeover of companies listed on the Amsterdam stock exchange on the grounds that these moves threaten jobs in the Netherlands.

And two-thirds of those polled feel the government should step in to protect the Dutch economy against foreign influences, according to a survey by financial services group ING reported in the Telegraaf.

This tracked the opinions of investors after the recent attempts by foreign groups to acquire personal care and detergents group Unilever and paints concern AkzoNobel. PPG Industries of the US has been  unrelenting in its efforts to acquire its Amsterdam-based rival Akzo.

ING said small investors in the Netherlands were positive about the Dutch economy and bourse-related factors. Two-thirds of them believed shares listed on the Amsterdam bourse would continue to increase in price.