Based on the consolidated financial statements of HELEX, the net after tax profits in 2008 amounted to €65.0m vs. €91.0m in 2007, a 29% reduction.

The consolidated turnover of the Group dropped by 33% to €108.4m vs. €161.2m in 2007. It should be noted that in 2008 the Group reported non-recurring revenue of €7.0m, due mainly from the profit from the sale of the building at Pesmazoglou St. (€3.2m) and the reversal of a provision for tax that had been made for the Hellenic Capital Market Commission fee in 1999 (€3.3m).

The turnover reduction is mainly the result of:

a)      the 36% drop in revenue from the clearing and settlement of transactions (€38.0m in 2008 vs. €59.1m in 2007)

b)      the 35% drop in revenue from trading in the cash market (€22.6m in 2008 vs. €34.8m in 2007); and

c)       the 67% drop in revenue from listed companies, which amounted to €10.1m in 2008 vs. €30.4m in 2007.

In the derivatives market (trading and clearing), revenue increased by 10% to €11.0m in 2008 vs. €10.0m in 2007.

The operating expenses of the Group amounted to €26.3m in 2008 vs. €28.8m in 2006, reduced by 9%.

Thus, the operating profit (EBIT) of the Group was €80.6m in 2008 compared to €116.9m in 2007, reduced by 31%.

HELEX's financial statements are posted on the Company's website (www.helex.gr).