- Vienna Stock Exchange is the only Western European stock exchange showing significant growth rates in trading volumes
- May 2017 record month since 2011 in terms of trading volumes and activity
- Average monthly equity trading at highest level since 2010
- Market capitalization climbs to highest value since 2008, increase of 50% y/y
(Vienna) In the first half of 2017 the Vienna Stock Exchange recorded a total equity trading volume of EUR 35.72 billion, 22.4% more than the previous year (Jan-Jun 2016: EUR 29.17 billion). Trading volumes in five out of six months were higher than on the same months of the previous year. May was the month with the liveliest trading and also the highest monthly trading volume, of EUR 7.44 billion, since 2011. The average monthly trading volume currently stands at EUR 5.95 billion, the highest volume since 2010.
“The Vienna Stock Exchange is the only Western European stock exchange with significant growth rates in trading volumes and a clear lead in trading in Austrian stocks. In 1HY, we significantly improved price quality again and we will continue to focus our efforts on this,” stated Christoph Boschan, CEO of Wiener Börse AG. The Vienna Stock Exchange offers a spread of on average 11 basis points for stocks in the ATX as well as an order book depth of around EUR 50,000, thus far ahead of competitors Turquoise and Bats Europe. “We have expanded the markets available for trading by adding the new segment ‘global market’ for international stocks. Trading volumes are rising daily in this market segment,” added Boschan. To date, the Vienna Stock Exchange had recorded over 1,000 trades and a total turnover of EUR 5.5 million in the new segment.
New securities added to trading
Apart from the international stocks that can now be traded on the segment ‘global market’ in the first half of the year, the company Cleen Energy joined trading on the Vienna Stock Exchange. The British company, The Just Loans Group Plc, was newly added to trading on the Third Market. "The Third Market as an entry segment of the Vienna Stock Exchange for smaller companies is unfortunately closed for Austrian issuers at present due to the legislative framework and urgently needs to be opened again," demanded Christoph Boschan. In the first half-year of 2017, listing activity in corporate bonds was very lively. This year, already 41 new corporate bonds have been floated on the Vienna Stock Exchange. 32 bonds were issued by international issuers and nine bonds by domestic issuers. In total, there were 48 new bond listings in 2016.
Most-actively traded stocks & trading members
The ranking of stocks with the highest trading volumes in 1HY 2017 was led by Erste Group Bank AG with a turnover of almost EUR 6.11 billion, followed by OMV AG with EUR 5.04 billion and Raiffeisen Bank International AG with EUR 3.84 billion. voestalpine AG (EUR 3.62 billion) and Lenzing AG (EUR 1.87 billion) came in fourth and fifth respectively.
In the first six months of the year, the trading member with the highest turnover was once again Morgan Stanley & Co, accounting for 11.90% of turnover in equities and structured products on the Vienna Stock Exchange, ahead of Wood & Company Financial Services (10.00%) and Hudson River Trading Europe Ltd. (7.50%). Raiffeisen Centrobank AG (6.33%) and Merrill Lynch International (6.28%) came in fourth and fifth respectively.
Performance overview
Since the start of the year, Flughafen Wien AG has risen by 42.09% making it the biggest gainer in the ATX, followed by Lenzing AG with a gain of 37.45% and OMV AG up by 35.38%. On the prime market, WARIMPEX Finanz- und Bet. AG (+ 68.83%), FACC AG (+ 60.90%) and Polytec Holding AG (+ 58.79%) were among the winning non-ATX members. Market capitalization of domestic companies listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange was EUR 114.34 billion on 30 June 2017, which is a gain of around 50% versus 30 June 2016 (EUR 78.28 billion).
In the course of the first half-year, Austria’s leading index, the ATX increased by + 18.65% (+ 21.21% incl. dividends) and stood at 3,106.66 points on 30 June 2017. Thus, the Austrian leading index is one of the top performers worldwide. The ATX has been on a steady rise since the start of the year, while the all-year low of the leading index YTD was on 2 January 2017 (2,654.94 points). The ATX hit its all-year high on 26 May 2017 at 3,209.58 points.
Further details are available in our online statistics. For European comparisons, see the statistics of the Federation of European Securities Exchanges (FESE).
About the Vienna Stock Exchange
The Vienna Stock Exchange is the only securities exchange in Austria. It features a modern infrastructure and supplies market data and relevant information. It offers Austrian companies maximum visibility, high liquidity and utmost transparency. Investors can rely on the smooth and efficient execution of exchange trades. The Vienna Stock Exchange operates a central market datafeed for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and is well established as an expert for the calculation of indices with a reference to the region. Wiener Börse AG, together with its holding company, CEESEG, cooperates with over ten exchanges in CEE and is globally recognized for this unique know-how.
Exclusion of Liability
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forecasts that are based on assumptions current made at the time of publication of this press release. We do not assume any liability for these forward-looking statements materializing. Furthermore, we would like to explicitly point out that this press release cannot serve as a basis for investment decisions and may not be construed as a solicitation to buy or a recommendation to invest by Wiener Börse AG. No liability is assumed for the information given in this press release.
