The net profits of the Group in the 1st quarter of the 2006 amounted to Euro 14.3 mln vs. Euro 7.8 mln in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 84%.
This increase is due to the large increase by 71% in the Group's income (Euro 29.6 mln in Q1 2006 vs. Euro 17.4 mln in Q1 2005). In particular the increase in operating income is due primarily to the increase in income from trading and clearing in the ATHEX cash market by 87% and secondly to the increase in income from trading and clearing in the ATHEX derivatives market by 39% as well as from the increase in income from listed companies by 36%.
The operating costs of the Group were marginally increased by 1% (Euro 6.6 mln in Q1 2006 vs. Euro 6.5 mln in Q1 2005) mainly due to the increase in salaries and staff related costs.
The operating result (EBIT) of the Group in Q1 2006 amounted to Euro 20.5 mln vs. Euro 9.1 mln in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 126%.
The parent company, in Q1 2006 shows dividend income from its subsidiaries of Euro 50.7 mln vs. Euro 56.8 mln in the corresponding period last year. The profits before taxes of the Company amounted to Euro 49.2 mln vs. Euro 57.6 mln in the corresponding period in 2005. Finally, the net after tax profits amounted to Euro 49.2 mln vs. Euro 57.5 mln in the corresponding period last year.
The financial statements of HELEX are posted on the Company's website (www.helex.gr).