Vienna Stock Exchange Sees Record Trading Volumes and Bond Listings in Q3 2024

(IN BRIEF) The Vienna Stock Exchange reported a strong performance in the third quarter of 2024, highlighted by exceptionally high trading volumes, record bond listings, and a new peak for the ATX Total Return Index, which reached 8,706.77 points on September 2. In September alone, equity turnover totaled €8.1 billion, marking it as one of the busiest months in the past decade. The year has already seen over 9,100 bond listings, surpassing previous records. CEO Christoph Boschan noted that significant M&A activity in the real estate sector has driven equity turnover. The bond market also flourished, with 9,076 new bonds listed in 2024, further establishing the Vienna Stock Exchange as a key player in European debt listings. Additionally, a recent expansion of the global market segment allows investors access to more international equities. Boschan emphasized the need for greater political support for the capital market in light of ongoing economic challenges.

(PRESS RELEASE) VIENNA, 2-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Vienna Stock Exchange is celebrating a successful third quarter, marked by exceptionally high trading volumes, record bond listings, and a new peak for the national benchmark index, which includes dividends. In September, equity turnover reached €8.1 billion, making it one of the four busiest months in the last decade. The year has already seen around 9,100 bond listings, surpassing previous records and confirming 2023 as the most active year for bonds. The ATX Total Return Index achieved an all-time high of 8,706.77 points on September 2, 2024. The expansion of the international “global market” segment allows investors access to a wider array of international stocks under domestic conditions.

According to Christoph Boschan, CEO of the Vienna Stock Exchange, the year has been remarkably positive from both a business and investor perspective, especially highlighted by the performance of the national index. He attributes the high equity turnover primarily to notable fluctuations in the real estate sector, while also noting that geopolitical tensions and economic conditions continue to impact international investor sentiment.

The surge in equity turnover over the past three months has been substantial, with September’s figure of €8.1 billion—up from €4.0 billion in 2023—culminating a dynamic quarter. August also saw impressive trading volumes of €6.7 billion (up from €3.4 billion in 2023), while July recorded €5.3 billion (compared to €3.7 billion last year). M&A activity within the real estate sector has been a significant driver of these developments. For the first three quarters of 2024, total share turnover reached €51.0 billion, compared to €41.1 billion in the same period in 2023, averaging €384 million per trading day. Notable trading days included September 20, with €891.5 million in transactions, followed by September 6 at €534.7 million and September 11 at €474.2 million. The top traded Austrian stocks as of September 30 were Erste Group Bank AG (€7.9 billion), CA Immobilien Anlagen AG (€6.5 billion), and OMV AG (€6.2 billion).

The bond market also set new records, with 9,076 new bonds listed so far in 2024, surpassing previous annual totals. The Vienna Stock Exchange is solidifying its position as a key venue for debt listings in Europe, currently serving over 1,000 issuers from 38 countries with a total issuance volume of around €800 billion. The Vienna ESG Segment for green bonds is witnessing steady growth, highlighted by voestalpine AG becoming the first European steel company to issue a green corporate bond worth €500 million. The ESG segment now features over 120 listings totaling approximately €29 billion.

Following recent global market expansions, investors can now trade 30 additional international equities from various countries—including the USA, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg—at local fees in euros during Vienna Stock Exchange trading hours. The global market segment now boasts over 800 securities from 27 countries, with Springer Nature set to be tradable in the international segment following its planned IPO this Friday.

The Austrian Traded Index (ATX) including dividends continues to achieve new heights, with a record of 8,706.77 points reached on September 2. The index has risen by 11.85% since the start of the year (6.41% when excluding dividends). The strongest performers in the prime market include S IMMO AG (+76.80%), BAWAG Group AG (+44.96%), and Erste Group Bank AG (+34.09%). As of the end of September, the market capitalization of all companies listed in Vienna stood at €129.2 billion.

In light of the recent parliamentary elections, Boschan urged political leaders to prioritize the capital market in addressing various challenges, such as financing social security systems and fostering economic transformation. He emphasized that many social issues cannot be effectively resolved without a robust capital market, advocating for the reintroduction of a retention period for securities to alleviate the tax burden on long-term investments as a crucial step towards strengthening the capital market.

About the Vienna Stock Exchange

As the central infrastructure provider in the region, Wiener Börse AG opens doors to global markets. It operates the stock exchanges in Vienna and Prague. Listed companies benefit from maximum liquidity there, and as the market leader it offers investors fast and inexpensive trading. Wiener Börse collects and distributes price data and calculates the most important indices for a dozen markets in the region. Thanks to its unique know-how, the national exchanges in Budapest, Ljubljana and Zagreb also rely on the IT services of the Vienna Stock Exchange. In addition, it is involved in other energy exchanges and clearing houses in the region.

Disclaimer

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and projections based on assumptions current at the date of this press release. We assume no liability whatsoever that these forward-looking statements will occur. Furthermore, we expressly point out that this press release does not serve as a basis for an investment decision and constitutes neither an invitation to buy nor an investment recommendation by Wiener Börse AG. The information in this press release is provided without guarantee.

Media Contacts:

Alexander Wastl
Corporate Communications & Marketing
alexander.wastl​(a)​wienerboerse.at
+43 1 531 65-153

Julia Resch
Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing, Spokesperson
julia.resch​(a)​​wienerboerse.at
+43 1 531 65-186

SOURCE: Wiener Börse AG