ATHEX headed north yesterday for a 2nd consecutive session, outperforming the European stock markets. In more detail, the General Index rose by 0.45% at 1,430.09 units (FTSE Large Cap: +0.64%, FTSE Mid Cap: +0.12%, Banks Index: +0.74%) and the traded value was shaped at EUR 94.9m, down from Tuesday’s EUR 105.6m. We expect the ECB to set the tone today and ATHEX to move in line with the European stock markets.
Macro Headlines
Central government budget execution January-September 2024 (preliminary)
Facts: According to preliminary MoF data for the central government budget execution on a modified cash basis in January-September 2024, the central government budget recorded a EUR 1,575m surplus vs. a targeted deficit of EUR 1,443m (based on the 2024 Budget introductory report) and a EUR 397 deficit in the same period in 2023. On a primary basis, the budget recorded a EUR 8,743m surplus vs. a targeted surplus of EUR 5,927m and a EUR 5,987m surplus in the same period in 2023.
Comment: It is noted that part of the difference in tax revenues of EUR 647m is accounted for in the fiscal result of 2023, while EUR 2,582m concerning the time differentiation of the transfers to SSFs and the military procurement expenditure do not affect the outcome in fiscal terms. With the exception of the above amounts, the overperformance in the State Budget Primary Balance for the period of January–September is EUR 216m.
Greece taps additional EUR 250m through the 2029 Bond
PDMA successfully raised yesterday EUR 250m with the reopening of the on-the run 5-year bond with 3.875% coupon rate, at a final yield of 2.38%, with total amounts offered reaching 939m, at a coverage ratio of 3.76.
EU disburses EUR 1bn RRF funds for Greece
According to Kathimerini, the EU disbursed the 4th tranche of RRF grants for Greece, amounting to EUR 1bn. Following this development, Greece has already received RRF grants of EUR 18.2bn, >50% of total grants, ranking 5th among the EU countries for RRF funds absorption.
Sector Headlines
ECB meeting today
The Governing Council of the European Central Bank is scheduled to meet today and to announce its monetary decisions.
Company Headlines
S&P affirms ‘BB-‘ Ratings on PPC
S&P assigned a ‘3’ recovery rating to PPC’s senior unsecured notes, after the revision of its jurisdiction assessment on Greece to ‘B’ from ‘C’ previously. Additionally, S&P affirmed its ‘BB-‘ issuer credit and issue ratings on PPC and its EUR 1,275m senior unsecured notes. The stable outlook on the issuer credit rating indicates that it expects that PPC will continue to deliver on its strategic plan, with solid liquidity, improved profitability margins, and high investments. The agency expects PPC’s solid adjusted EBITDA growth to reach EUR 2.1bn in 2026 from EUR 1.7b expected in 2024 and support a sufficient buffer under the current issuer credit rating level, despite acceleration in capex which will average EUR 2.7bn in 2024-2026, and material acquisitions fueling the group’s development of renewables.
Eurobank Holdings 3Q24 results out on 07 November
Eurobank Holdings is set to report 3Q24 results on Thursday 07 November, post market close and management will host a CC on the same day at 18:00 Athens/16:00 London Time.
Piraeus Bank VES ends tomorrow
Press reports indicate that the VES of the bank ends tomorrow, and 170 employees have participated hitherto, lower than the target of 200.
Biokarpet EGM on 8 November
The company will hold an EGM on Friday 8 November to approve the provision of a guarantee in favor of its subsidiary company EXALCO.
Alumil approved the spin-off of the foundry division
The company announced that the EGM approved the demerger with the spin-off of the foundry division and the establishment of a new company. The new company will be 100% subsidiary of Alumil.
Intracom Holdings bought Intralot shares
Intralot announced that Intracom Holdings purchased on 16 October, 100,000 common shares of Intralot at an average price of EUR 1.0941 and for a total value of EUR 109,406.89.
The ASE Index balanced around flat line, at +0.4%, on EUR 95m turnover. Banks outperformed rising 0.7%, with Piraeus and Eurobank recording c.1.6% gains, while Bank of Cyprus was down 0.7%. On non-banks, OPAP and Motor Oil both finished 1.4% higher, OTE and PPC marked a 0.9% increase, while Jumbo and GEK Terna finished flattish at +0.4%. Cenergy recorded a 1.3% drop, Aegean was down 0.8%, while Lamda ended 0.5% lower.
MACRO – CORPORATE NEWS
MACRO I
According to the Ministry of Finance, the EU Commission completed the EUR 1bn disbursement from RRF grants to Greece yesterday, corresponding to the 4th payment request. Following the disbursement, Greece has received a total of EUR 18.2bn in RRF funds, accounting for 50% of the total National Plan’s budget for Greece 2.0.
MACRO II
Based on the Ministry of Finance provisional data for the State budget in the period of January to September 2024, the State Budget Balance recorded a surplus of EUR 1.5bn, compared to the EUR 397m deficit in the same period of 2023 and the target for a EUR 1.4bn deficit. Primary surplus for the period stood at EUR 8.7bn compared to EUR 5.9bn in the corresponding period of 2023 and EUR 5.3bn presented in the Budget’s 2024 report.
MACRO III
Fitch published its forecasts for Greece for the period of 2024-2026, with the credit rating agency expecting growth of 2.3% in 2024, 2.4% in 2025 and 1.9% in 2026. Moreover, Fitch expects the Debt to GDP ratio falling to 143.6% in 2026 from 161.9% in 2023.
NBG <ETE GA, OW>
Reportedly, the Ministry of Finance has submitted a request to the SSM to abolish the special rights of the HFSF resulting from the 8.4% stake held in NBG (the rights include the appointment of one board member, some veto rights etc).
EUROBANK <EUROB GA, OW>
Eurobank announced that the publication date of its 3Q24 results is set for November 7th. Management will host a conference call on the same day at 18:00 GR time. Dial ins: GR + 30 213 009 6000, or + 30 210 94 60 800, UK & Intl + 44 (0) 203 059 5872, UK +44 (0) 800 368 1063, US + 1 516 447 5632.
LAMDA DEVELOPMENT <LAMDA GA, OW>
According to press reports, Lamda will proceed with investments up to EUR 5m for Flisvos Marina in 2025, supported by RRF funds.
Market Comment // The Greek market continued on an upward trajectory (+0.45%) for a 2nd consecutive day on Wednesday, with the General Index closing near its intraday high at 1,430.09 points. Turnover remained below €100m, at €95mn, lower than the 100-day MA of €120m. Quest led gainers surging 4.3% followed by Trade Estates (+2.2%), while Piraeus Bank (+1.6%), Eurobank (+1.6%), Admie (+1.5%), OPAP (+1.5%), Motor Oil (+1.5%), Profile (+1.1%), and Sarantis (+1.1%) all posted healthy gains. On the other hand, Cenergy shed 1.3% (settling at the issue price of the capital raising), while Optima Bank (-0.9%), Aegean Airlines (-0.9%), Fourlis (-0.8%), Viohalco (-0.7%), Bank of Cyprus (-0.7%), Lamda (-0.5%) and Austriacard (-0.5%) all posted mild losses. EU futures point to a mildly negative opening today, as investors await the ECB rate decision later in the day.
Economy // S&P to provide its rating review on Greece tomorrow evening. The agency has assigned a positive outlook to its BBB- recommendation, and as such, an upgrade could be on the cards.
Economy // Budget execution data for the 9months to end September show ongoing outperformance, with the primary surplus at €8.7bn, an overshooting vs the €5.3bn targeted for the period. Excluding timing issues/one-off adjustments, the underlying outperformance stands at €216m. Improvement in tax collection continues unfettered, with tax proceeds €2.6bn higher than the targeted amount.
Alpha Trust Andromeda // The extraordinary dividend amount adjusted for the treasury shares is €0.17944/share. Including the €0.30/share ordinary dividend paid in June’24 the total yield stands at c7.2%. As a reminder there is a re-investment option (election period 23-30 October). The ex-dividend date is set for Monday 21st October and payment starts 15th November.
Επιμέλεια: Μπάμπης Πολίτης
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