The consolidated net after tax profits of the Group amounted to EUR1.2m vs. EUR436 thousand in the first quarter (Q1) of 2017. After the securities valuation loss of EUR334 thousand, the net earnings after tax per share in the first quarter were EUR0.016 vs. EUR0.001 in Q1 2017.

The turnover of the Group was EUR7.1m in Q1 2018 vs. EUR5.5m in the corresponding period last year, increased by 29%; after subtracting the Hellenic Capital Market Commission fee, total consolidated revenue was EUR6.8m vs. EUR5.3m, increased by 27.5%.

Total consolidated revenue increased mainly due to the increase in trading activity in the cash market. In particular, in Q1 2018 average daily traded value was EUR72m, compared to EUR41.5m in the corresponding period last year, a 73.3% increase. The average capitalization of the Greek capital market increased by 27.3% compared to Q1 2017 (EUR56.4bn vs. EUR44.3bn).

The Athens Exchange General Index closed on 29.3.2018 at 780.5 points, up 17.2% compared to the close at the end of Q1 2017 (666.06 points). Market liquidity, as measured by turnover velocity, increased to 31.9% in Q1 2018 compared to 23.4% in the corresponding period last year, while average daily volume was 50.3m shares compared to 70.4m shares.

In the derivatives market, the average daily number of contracts dropped by 14.5% (61.2 thousand vs. 71.5 thousand), while the corresponding trading and clearing revenue increased by 55.1% due to the increase in the prices of the underlying securities and the change in the product mix in the market. The average revenue per contract increased by 79.9% to EUR0.152 compared to EUR0.085 in the corresponding period last year.

The operating expenses of the Group increased by 6.1% compared to Q1 2017 to EUR3.9m vs. EUR3.7m, mainly due to voluntary retirement costs, while total operating expenses including ancillary services increased by 8.3% compared to the corresponding period last year (EUR4.35m vs. EUR4m).

Consolidated Earnings Before Tax (EBT) in Q1 2018 were EUR1.8m compared to EUR620 thousand in Q1 2017.

At an adjusted level, in the absence of adjustment data, consolidated Earnings Before Taxes, Interest, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) were EUR2.45m in Q1 2018 compared to EUR1.3m in Q1 2017.

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