The consolidated net after tax profits of the Group amounted to EUR2.2m vs. EUR1.9m in the nine months (9M) of 2016. However after the securities valuation difference and tax of EUR607 thousand in 2017 as well as the cancellation of treasury stock, the net earnings after tax per share in the nine months were EUR0.026 vs. EUR0.030 in 9M 2016, reduced by 13.9%.

The turnover of the Group was EUR19.9m in 9M 2017 vs. EUR20.6m in 9M 2016, reduced by 3%; after subtracting the Hellenic Capital Market Commission fee, total consolidated revenue was EUR19.1m vs. EUR19.7m, reduced by 2.9%.

Total consolidated revenue is reduced mainly due to a drop in trading activity in the cash market. In particular, in 9M 2017 average daily traded value was EUR60.5m, compared to EUR63m, a 4% reduction. The average capitalization of the Greek capital market increased by 22% compared to 9M 2016 (EUR49.9bn vs. EUR40.8bn).

The Athens Exchange General Index closed on 29.9.2017 at 755.61 points, up 34% compared to the close at the end of 9M 2016 (565.5 points). Market liquidity, as measured by turnover velocity, dropped to 30.4% in 9M 2017 compared to 38.7% in 9M 2016, while average daily volume was 79.5m shares compared to 103.3m shares.

In the derivatives market, the average daily number of contracts increased by 28% (80 thousand vs. 62.6 thousand), while the corresponding trading and clearing revenue increased by 6.1% due to the drop in the prices of the underlying securities and the change in the product mix in the market. The average revenue per contract dropped by 22% to EUR0.091 compared to EUR0.111 in the corresponding period last year.

The operating expenses of the Group were unchanged compared to 9M 2016 at EUR11.3m, while total operating expenses including new activities increased by 5.9% compared to the corresponding period last year (EUR13.44m vs. EUR12.69m) due to the forming of provisions amounting to EUR600 thousand in 2017; there were no provisions in the corresponding period last year.

Lastly, consolidated Earnings Before Tax (EBT) in 9M 2017 were EUR3.57m compared to EUR3.12m in 9M 2016.

The financial statements of the Group and the Company are posted on the Company's website (www.athexgroup.gr).