ATHEX headed north yesterday, outperforming the European stock markets. In more detail, the General Index soared by 1.44% at 1,330.61 units (FTSE Large Cap: +1.56%, FTSE Mid Cap: +1.03%, Banks Index: +1.59%) and the traded value was shaped at EUR 107.0m, up from Friday’s EUR 74.1m. We expect the positive momentum to continue today, with HELLENiQ Energy in focus.
Greek ESI eases in December
Greece’s Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) dropped to 106.0 in December 2023 from 106.4 in November, remaining however well above the EU average ESI (up to 95.6 in December from 93.8 in November).
Unsealing of offers for the Northern Crete Motor way in March (press)
According to Kathimerini, the unsealing of the offers for the construction of the Northern Crete Motor Way, initially budgeted EUR 1.75bn is scheduled for this March. Three constructors have submitted offers for the contract, namely GEKTERNA, the AVAX-Egis-Meridien JV and the Mytilineos-AKTOR Concessions JV.
Piraeus Financial Services to issue new Tier 2 bond, buyback of existing one
Reportedly (Bloomberg), Piraeus Financial Services has mandated global investment banks in order to issue a new subordinated Tier 2 note of EUR 500m with a duration of 10 years as well as launched a cash tender offer on its outstanding EUR 400m Tier 2 note with a coupon of 9.75%, due on 26 June 2029 with first call on 26 June 2024 at 102 per cent. We remind that Piraeus issued on 29 November 2023 a EUR 500.0m senior preferred bond at a coupon of 6.875%. Recall that management has stated on 3Q23 results conference call that plans to issue a new Tier 2 note within 1H24 and therefore the news is in line with expectations. We reiterate our Buy rating and TP of EUR 4.00/share.
Goldman Sachs total holdings in PPC lower to 5.15%
PPC announced that Goldman Sachs lowered its total holdings in the Company’s voting rights to 5.15%, from 5.18% previously. In other related news, PPC reportedly (Kathimerini) secured EU funding for the installation of 34 EV super chargers in Greece.
Mr. Mytilineos’ comments (press)
The chairman of the BoD and CEO of Mytilineos, said yesterday in a special award ceremony, that the company aims to contribute 4% of total domestic GDP in 2024, from 3% in 2023.
HELLENiQ ENERGY trades tomorrow ex-dividend
HELLENiQ ENERGY will trade tomorrow ex-interim DPS of EUR 0.30 (DY 4.1%).
Autohellas proceeds with a retail Bond issuance
Autohellas announced its intention to proceed with the issuance of a 5-year bond in ATHEX, aiming to raise EUR 150-200m, subject to market conditions.
Benchmark index ended the day at +1.44% on decent EUR 108m ADTV. Banking index continued the strong performance at +1.6%, led by Piraeus Bank (+3.3%). On non financials, Jumbo and Mytilineos gained 3.8% and 2.5% respectively. Strong rebound for GEK TERNA Group, as both GEK and Terna Energy recorded gains of 3.3% and 2.5% respectively.
BANKS
We have revised our models and included 2026E on our estimates for the four Greek banks. We think valuations are still very cheap (P/E of <5x on 2024E) for a banking system that has capacity to grow at high single digit levels, is well capitalized and will return to solid dividends and buybacks from 2024E onwards (with yields that could exceed 5.0%). We re-iterate our strong conviction on the sector and see an upside potential of >50% from current share price levels.
PIRAEUS BANK (TPEIR GA, OW)
Piraeus Bank invited holders of its outstanding EUR 400m, 9.75% subordinated T2 issue (maturing in 2029) to a tender offer in cash at 102%. According to press reports, the bank will proceed with a new T2 issue of c.EUR 500m with a yield of below 8%.
AUTOHELLAS (OTOEL GA)
The company announced that its intention to proceed with the issuance of common bond loan of up to EUR 200m with a duration of 5 years.
Market Comment // Greek shares extended their gains on Monday, with the main index finishing at intra-day highs of 1,330.61 advancing by 1.44%. Trading activity naturally ticked higher than last week, with turnover at €107mn, just a tad below the 100-day avg of €115mn. Thrace Plastics (+4.5%), ELHA (+4.5%), Hellenic Exchanges (+4.2%), Viohalco (+4.1%) and Jumbo (+3.8%) stood out among gainers, closely followed by GEK Terna (+3.4%), Piraeus Bank (+3.3%), Terna Energy (+2.5%), Mytilineos (+2.5%) and Titan Cement (+2.4%), all of which also recorded strong gains. On the other hand, Dimand led laggards shedding 2.9%, with Epsilon Net (-2.4%), Entersoft (-1.8%) and EYDAP (-1.3%) also finishing in the red. Today EU futures point to a positive opening as investors gravitate their bets towards policy easing this year.
Greek Banks // In our latest note on Greek banks “Dividends Ahoy”, we argue that despite the upcoming peak in NII (in Q4’23 or Q1’24), 2024 will be quite resilient supported by credit growth (c4% p.a. in 2024-25e), the gradual benefit from deposit hedges as well as the lower-than-anticipated deposit betas and contraction of lending spreads. We expect these to push back a noteworthy contraction of NIMs into FY’25e and estimate just 5-10% annual NII declines in 2024-25e corresponding to a NIM of 2.6% and 2.3% respectively, still materially higher than that in 2022 (1.72%). As result, we raised 2023e-25e adj. net income by 16%/11%/4% while increasing our PTs and reiterating our Buy on all banks (AB at €2.23, NBG at €8.25, TPEIR at €4.66). We reiterate Piraeus as top pick given the solid execution and most compelling risk/reward skew.
Piraeus Bank // According to press reports, Piraeus Bank will tap the market for a €400m 10-year Tier II (MREL eligible), having already given the mandate to foreign banks. In addition, Piraeus will proceed to the repurchase of the Tier II bond of €400mn maturing in 2029 with a coupon of 9.75% at a price of 102%.
HelleniQ Energy // Ex-div tomorrow, €0.30 interim dividend (4.1% yield); Payment commences on 17th January.
Autohellas // Autohellas announced its intention to proceed with the issuance of a 5-year maturity common bond loan of €150-200m through a public offer. Dates are yet to be announced.
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