Top names of the international community investor have been placed in Athens Stock Exchange.
A new generation of more “quality” and long -term investors is created for Greek assets, after recovering the investment level, thus raising the Athens Stock Exchange.
The “thirst” of international investors for Greek assets is increasing sharply after the recovery of the investment grade. A fact that is reflected in the big bids for Greek assets, which approached 120 billion euros in 2024.
According to Bank of Greece data, the investment level has led to an increase in investment positions in Greek stocks by $ 11 billion and by 5.5 billion in Greek bonds over the last two years.
We should also note the inputs of € 5 billion (2.9 billion in shares and 2.1 billion in bonds), according to the BoG before upgrading the Greek economy, from the 4th months of 2022 to the 3rd month of 2023.
Increasing Unicredit’s share in Alpha Bank to 20% may pave the way for other foreign strategic investors focusing on banks and beyond. It is recalled that Prem Wacha’s Fairfax Financial Group holds 32.89% in Eurobank, while John Paulson holds 14% in Piraeus. At the same time, a deal between HELEX and Euronext is expected to increase international “players” in the Greek stock market.
The bold
Even in the crisis, there were the bold ones who saw opportunities in the Greek stock market. First and foremost is the big investor John Paulson, who in 2013 began investing in Greek banks, discounting that sooner or later Greece would turn a page, and in 2010 had bet on Greece’s bankruptcy, but lost. At the same time in Greece was Mark Mobeon, Templeton, the manager of the largest long -term active funds for emerging markets of $ 815 billion for Greek shares markets, stating that it was the best time for investment in Greece. The so -called “guru” of emerging markets was for 1987 and Sophocles then achieved the second best performance in the world.
Recently Bloomberg, in a report of how “Greece turned the debt crisis into a story of success” reminded us of the faith of Canadian Grand Primm Guacha (called “Warren Buffet of Canada”) in Greece, which was not in Greece, Its in Greek assets. Ten years later, Wats has more than doubled his money.
Fairfax investments in Greek companies reflect this restoration. Its biggest bet was Eurobank, and the company has also acquired entries in Metlen Energy & Metals SA, Eurolife Insurance Company and real estate company Grivalia Properties. Overall, investments of approximately € 2.2 billion are valued at 5 billion euros today.
Since then, during the crisis, the “up and down” have come. Greece has recovered the investment level and market confidence, the budget is on the right track, the growth rates are multiple of those of the EU and the banks have changed … a book.
Top names of the International Investment Community rushed to be placed in the placements of National, Piraeus, the IPO of Athens International Airport, as well as in placements of large listed, such as Metlen, Jumbo and GEK TERNA.
The placements of National and Piraeus were involved in large investment firms such as Fidelity, Capital Group, BlackRock, Lazard, Norges, Allianz, Wellington, Gic (Singapore’s Sovereign Fund), the Dutch Romerco and the American Irws. Helikon Investments, Gic and Fiera Capital.
The Norway’s State Investment Fund, which has a fire of about $ 1.7 trillion. dollars, at the end of 2024, according to official data, was lined with 40 listed Athens Stock Exchange and has invested around 710m euros.
According to the latest data in HELEX, the largest listed companies, in large foreign investors, hold more than 5% of the share capital, are as follows:
NATIONAL: The Capital Group Companies, Inc. (5.06%), Principal Financial Group (5.03%)
ALPHA BANK: UNICREDIT S.P.A. (20,48%)
EUROBANK: FAIRFAX FINANCIAL GROUP (32,89%), THE CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES, INC. (5,14%), HELIKON INVESTMENTS LTD (5,08%)
PIRAEUS: John Paulson (13.62%)
JUMBO: FMR LLC (9,99%), NEW WORLD FUND INC (5,03%)
LAMDA: BREVAN HOWARD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LTD (8,62%)
METLEN: FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LTD (8,34%)
TITAN: FMR LLC (6.17%)
GEK TERNA: Marble Bar Asset Management LLP (6.34%)
SARANTIS: FMR LLC (10.47%)
PPC: CVC Capital Partners PLC (10.34%)
AIA: Aviallace GmbH (50.00%)
EYDAP: John Paulson (9.99%)
ELLAKTOR: Reggeborgh Invest BV (52.64%), Atlas NV (9.80%)
HELEX: Smallcap World Fund (5.09%)
Intralot: Soohyung Kim (33.34%)
ΟΛΠ: COSCO (67,00%), HELIKON INVESTMENTS LTD (5,38%)
OTE: Deutsche Telekom AG (50.86%)
AKTOR: ΒLUE SILK (CY) LTD (15,60%)