HELEX Group H1 2007 Financial Results - 30 Jul 2007

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HELEX H1 2007 financial results
EUR40.2 ml. net after tax profits

30 July 2007 - The consolidated net after tax profits of HELEX in H1 2007 amounted to EUR40.2 ml. vs. EUR30.6 ml. in the corresponding period last year, increased by 32%.

The consolidated turnover of the Group increased by 18% to EUR72.1 ml vs. EUR61.1 ml in H1 2006. This increase is due mainly to the 12% increase in revenue from the clearing of stock transactions (EUR26.5 ml. in H1 2007 vs. EUR23.6 ml. in the corresponding period last year), the 53% increase in revenue from listed companies (EUR10.8 ml. in H1 2007 vs. EUR7.0 ml. in H1 2006), as well as the increase in other revenue (EUR5.7 ml. vs. EUR1.3 ml. in the corresponding period last year),  which is mainly due to non-repeating revenue from off-exchange transactions.

Due to the new pricing policy of the Group, which went into effect on 1.1.2007, revenue from stock transactions is reduced by 27% (EUR16.2 ml. in H1 2007 vs. EUR22.2 ml. in the corresponding period last year), despite the increase in the value of transactions by 12% (average daily value of transactions EUR440 ml. in H1 2007 vs. EUR395 ml. in Η1 2006). The revenue loss from the lower fees on transactions was in part offset by new charges on services.

In the derivatives market (trading and clearing), revenue is flat (EUR4.7 ml, the same as in H1 2006), despite the small decrease in the number of contracts (average daily number of contracts 34.0 thousand in H1 2007 vs. 35.9 thousand in the corresponding period last year).

The operating expenses of the Group amounted to EUR13.1 ml. in H1 2007 vs. EUR13.2 ml. in the corresponding period last year, posting a small reduction, as a result of the continuing efforts by management to contain them. Due to the relocation to the new, Company owned offices, which took place on July 2nd 2007, the Company is upgrading its technological infrastructure. The extraordinary expenses for this upgrade approached EUR1.8 ml. in the first half of the year.

Thus, the operating profit (EBIT) of the Group was EUR52.6 ml. in H1 2007 compared to EUR43.1 ml. in H1 2006, increased by 22%.

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