* S&P upgrades by a notch the credit ratings of National Bank (ETE GA), Eurobank (EUROB GA), Piraeus Bank (TPEIR GA) and Alpha Bank (ALPHA GA); positive outlook maintained
* National Bank’s (ETE GA) AGM on 25 July set to approve €0.36/sh 2023 cash dividend (30% payout, 4.5% yield)
* Jumbo (BELA GA): June revenue expected 9% higher y-o-y to c€84m, rising also 9% to €465m in 1H24e (39% above 2019)
* GEK Terna (GEKTERNA GA) reportedly clinches €140m contract for the construction of a water supply project in Northern Greece
ATHEX extended gains yesterday, outperforming the European markets. In more detail, the General Index advanced by 0.86% at 1,435.81 units, (FTSE Large Cap: +0.97%, FTSE Mid Cap: +0.93%, Banks Index: +1.97%) and the traded value was shaped at EUR 66.4m, down from Wednesday’s EUR 85.8m. We expect ATHEX to consolidate at current levels today, with Banks in focus.
Sector Headlines
Facts: Bank of Greece announced that the average interest rate on new production of loans squeezed by 44bps m-o-m to 5.54% in May 2024, whilst the average interest rate on new production of deposits rose slightly by 2bps to 0.55%. The drop in the average interest rate on new loan production by 44bps m-o-m is attributed to the lower interest rates on business (-54bps m-o-m) and mortgage loans (-15bps m-o-m). Thus, the interest rate spread for new production fell by 46bps m-o-m to 4.99%. On outstanding amounts, the interest rate spread narrowed slightly by 3bps m-o-m to 5.69%.
S&P Global upgraded the ratings of systemic banks
S&P Global Ratings upgraded the ratings of systemic banks with a positive outlook. In specific, it raised the long-term issuer credit rating of Alpha Bank to ‘BB’ from ‘BB-‘ and affirmed the ‘B’ short-term rating, the long-term issuer credit rating of Eurobank to ‘BB+’ from ‘BB’ and affirmed the ‘B’ short-term rating, the long-term issuer credit rating of National Bank of Greece to ‘BB+’ from ‘BB’ and affirmed the ‘B’ short-term rating and finally the long-term issuer credit rating of Piraeus Bank to ‘BB’ from ‘BB-‘ and affirmed the ‘B’ short-term rating.
Company Headlines
National Bank of Greece AGM on 25 July
The AGM of National Bank of Greece will be held on Thursday 25 July at 11:00 Athens/09:00 London Time. Shareholders will approve among others the distribution of a dividend of EUR 0.36 per share (DY: 4.5%, ex-dividend: Monday 29 July) as well as the increase of the cost of the share buyback program by EUR 10.0m to EUR 40.0m. Recall that the share buyback program is up to 13,720,727 shares (1.5% of shares o/s) to be acquired through to 28 July 2025. The maximum price is set at EUR 15.00/share and the minimum at EUR 1.00/share. Recall that NBG announced on 27 June that it holds 3,274,930 own shares or 0.36% of shares o/s. NBG is one of our top picks with TP of EUR 10.84/share.
Terna Energy trades ex-dividend on Monday
Terna ENERGY WILL trade ex-dividend of EUR 0.38211/share on Monday (DY: 1.95%)
Ideal Holdings to trade ex-capital return on 25 July
The company announced that the stock will trade ex-capital return (EUR 0.20, Yield: 3.5%) on Thursday 25 July.
Revoil acquired 10MW photovoltaic parks
The company announced the acquisition of new 10MW photovoltaic parks for a total cost of EUR 1.74m. The Group will repay the existing bank loan of EUR 6.5m over a period of 15 years. The group currently operates a total of 14.34MW which is estimated to contribute up to EUR 1.2m in EBITDA on an annual basis. Finally, within the next five years the company plans to operate renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 200 MW.
Sunrise Mezz AGM today
The AGM is taking place today at 15:00 CY/13:00 UK Time. Shareholders will approve among others the distribution of a capital return of EUR 0,0504/share (Yield: 15.8%).
Phoenix Vega Mezz AGM today
The AGM is taking place today at 11:00 CY/09:00 UK Time. Shareholders will approve among others the distribution of a capital return of EUR 0.0128/share (Yield: 15.9%).
Market Comment // In a session characterized by subdued trading activity due to the US holiday (with turnover at just €66 million), the Greek market rose by 0.86%, with the ASE index closing at an intra-day high of 1,435.8 points. Profile led gainers, surging 4.7%, followed by Aegean Airlines (+3.3%) and Eurobank (+3.1%). Premia (+2.8%), Lamda (+2.8%), Intralot (+2.7%), Fourlis (+2.4%), and Ellaktor (+2.4%) also posted strong gains. Other notable gainers included Ideal Holdings (+2.2%), NBG (+2.2%), Viohalco (+2.0%), Autohellas (+1.7%), and Piraeus Bank (+1.6%). Conversely, HTO dropped by 2.3%, with Trade Estates (-1.3%), Papoutsanis (-1.2%), Motodynamics (-0.9%), ADMIE Holding (-0.9%), and Quest Holdings (-0.8%) also ending in negative territory. Today, EU markets are primed to open slightly positively as investor confidence is bolstered by the UK election results, but with investors remaining on edge ahead of the US jobs data release later today.
Banks // S&P upgraded Eurobank and NBG’s long-term issuer credit rating to ‘BB+’ from ‘BB’, with a positive outlook. Piraeus Bank’s and Alpha Bank’s rating was also raised to ‘BB’ from ‘BB-‘ with a positive outlook. The upgrades effectively place Eurobank and NBG just one notch below investment grade.
IDEAL Holdings // Formally announced the approval of a capital return of €0.20 per share (3.5% yield) as decided by the AGM on 6th June. The stock will trade ex-cap return on 25th July.
Terna Energy // Shares will trade ex div on Monday; €0.38 final dividend (1.9% yield), with payment commencing on 8th July.
Entersoft // The Competition Commission gave the green light for the consolidation arising from Unity’s bid for Entersoft, thereby paving the way for the completion of the Public offer. As a reminder, the takeover bid of Unity to the shareholders of Entersoft will run until 9th July.
* Tα παραπάνω σχόλια μπορείτε να τα διαβάσετε πρώτοι στο viber του mikrometoxos.gr
ΑΠΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ ΕΥΘΥΝΩΝ: Το περιεχόμενο και οι πληροφορίες της στήλης προσφέρονται αποκλειστικά και μόνο για ενημερωτικούς σκοπούς και σε καμία περίπτωση δεν μπορούν να εκληφθούν ως συμβουλή, πρόταση, προσφορά για αγορά ή πώληση των κινητών αξιών, ούτε ως προτροπή για την πραγματοποίηση οποιασδήποτε μορφής επένδυσης. Κατά συνέπεια δεν υφίσταται ουδεμία ευθύνη για τυχόν επενδυτικές και λοιπές αποφάσεις που θα ληφθούν με βάση τις πληροφορίες αυτές.