The Athens Stock Exchange Found in the top positions in the world rankings market In the first quarter of 2025.
The index on the Athens Stock Exchange overcutions the largest European markets. Large European indicators are rising: DAX in Germany (+13.91%), French CAC 40 (+8.26%), while the British FTSE (+6.03%), while US indicators (Dow Jones -0.57%, S & P -3.20%, Nasdaq -7.88%) move.
The General Price Index in the first quarter of 2025 (based on Thursday’s closure) records 18.81%, with the banking index overflowing with a profit of 32.52%. At the same time, total market capitalization from the beginning of this year has increased by EUR 18 billion, while the year is running with average daily transactions of 171m euros increased by 22.9% compared to last year.
Since the beginning of 2025, from high capitalization the highest rise (based on Thursday’s closure) have been recorded by Alpha Bank (+46.51%), Piraeus (+43.38%), Ethniki (+31.07%), Metlen Energy & Metals (+27.21%) Optima Bank (+22.87%), Aegean Airlines (+22.13%), Sarantis (+20.77%), OPAP (+19.49%), Eurobank (+19.28%), PPA (+16.67%), PPC (+14.67%) and Elvalhalcor (+14.06%).
Smaller earnings are the titles: Viohalco (+11.58%), Motor Oil (+10.37%), Aktor (+9.54%), Titan (+9.33%), GEK TERNA (+6.17%), ELPE (+4.50%), OTE (+4.30%), EYDAP (+1.69%), Jumbo, Jumbo (+1.64%). Lamda Development (-7.66%) declines decline.
The upgrade of ATHEX
In recent weeks, the market has been running with a key catalyst to upgrade it to developed and looking in the future. The possible upgrade of ATHEX to a developed market could be transformative. Upgrading from Moody΄s, it can also lead the FTSE to open the Athens Stock Exchange’s path to developed markets.
On April 8, we will have the intermediate information from the FTSE about Greece’s possible movement to developed, from emerging markets. This development is expected to come after 8 years of staying in the category of emerging markets and confirms the progress that has been made in the critical figures of both our market and Greek listed companies.
The FTSE is considering the lowest level of the 3 organizations and requires the country to have an “investment grade” evaluation with prospects that are not “negative”. Thus, upgrading to an investment level from Moody’s would solve this possible obstacle to the FTSE and moving to developed markets.
Already ATHEX is on a Watchlist upgrades of FTSE Russell and S&P DJI for impending transfer to the developed markets. MSCI, the largest provider, has not yet made a similar announcement. But upgrading Moody’s can also unlock the gradual integration of the domestic market into a “watchlist” for upgrading from MSCI.
Profitability – dividends
The high profitability of listed companies supports shares’ valuations. In the first months of 2025 more listed companies capitalize the good results and stability of the Greek economy, extend their dispersion and attract new foreign investors.
Greek banks accelerate the replenishment of capital while offering attractive returns for shareholders. At the same time, companies are ambitious, transformative business plans, while maintaining strong profitability, underlining the durability and capabilities of the Greek economy.
Corporate durability, which is reflected in high dividend yields, which often exceed the respective European like companies, further enhances the attractiveness of the Greek market.
For more than 16 years, it is expected to be recorded this year in the dividend policy of listed companies with the average dividend performance of 5%. Stock Exchange listed companies will share this year … gifts that will range at € 5 billion, dividends, which are the highest since 2007, before the big financial crisis begins when they were € 5.42 billion.
But then there were many more listed companies on the Stock Exchange than the current period. To date, the listed ones have distributed dividends of € 3.8 billion, exceeding the performance of 2023 (2.95 billion), while € 4.2 billion was distributed last year. This is supportive as, on the one hand it improves market attractiveness, on the other hand, they limit pressures to liquids as they reinveit.
The macroeconomic environment
The macroeconomic environment is supportive, with the continuing fiscal over -performance, as it strengthens the scope for further upgrades of Greek debt assessment after acquiring the investment level by the “difficult” Moody΄s.
Greece has further increased its visibility in international investors in 2024 and continues to be considered a source of new opportunities. The Greek economy has shown durability and continuous growth for yet another year, despite challenges throughout the European landscape. GDP is projected to increase steadily by 2.0 – 2.5% in the medium term, exceeding the average growth rate of the eurozone. The Athens Stock Exchange reflects these positive developments in the economy.