Royal Dutch Shell also reported declines in their fourth quarter profits, and blamed lighter European demand, lower natural gas production (Exxon) along with a high demand for equipment and skilled workers and the difficulties involved in tapping reserves in politically unstable regions (Shell).

FORBES: BP Loses Steam

Dutch semiconductor company ASML Holding continued the second-quarter earnings season's burgeoning trend of companies seeing "strong demand" for their products.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The Dutch firm's underlying profitability in the last quarter - net of the fine and various restructuring costs - improved to 875m euros, beating the expectations of most market analysts.

BBC: Philips to exit hi-fis and DVD players

Royal Dutch Shell has reported a 13% drop in second quarter profits, hit by weaker oil and North American gas prices.

BBC: Royal Dutch Shell profits hit by oil price volatility

With a quarter-final tie against either Brazil or Chile to come, the Dutch will have to up their game if they are to fulfil their own aim.

BBC: Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia