Euronext Acquires Athens Stock Exchange in Landmark Deal

In a move that reshapes the financial landscape of Southeastern Europe, Euronext has officially acquired a majority stake in the Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX), marking one of the largest foreign investments in Greece in recent decades. The deal positions Athens as a key node in the broader European capital markets ecosystem and signals strong international confidence in the Greek economy.

Speaking before the Hellenic Parliament, Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis called the transaction a “vote of confidence” in the country’s financial future:“This agreement signifies Greece’s entry into a new era of connectivity and global access. It’s a very positive development and a major opportunity for the country as a whole,” he stated.

What the Deal Means for Greece

Euronext, which already operates major European exchanges in Paris, Milan, Amsterdam, and Lisbon, expands its footprint into Southeast Europe with this acquisition. This is not merely a financial transaction, but a strategic integration that brings Greece into a unified European capital markets structure, offering new channels of capital and liquidity to Greek firms.

For Greek businesses, the implications are profound:

• Improved access to international investors
• Better risk pricing mechanisms
• Increased competitiveness and visibility on the global stage

A Pivot in Geoeconomics: From Periphery to Pillar

Greece’s inclusion in Euronext’s pan-European network—home to over 2,000 listed companies with a combined market cap exceeding €6 trillion—elevates Athens from a market on the European periphery to a regional capital markets gateway.

The timing is also noteworthy:

• Greece has regained investment-grade status from major credit rating agencies.
• FDI inflows grew by over 40% in the first half of 2025.
• GDP is projected to exceed €260 billion, with a growth rate of 2.5% this year.

Analysts view the acquisition as part of Euronext’s broader strategy to expand into the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean, leveraging Greece’s renewed macroeconomic stability and political predictability—key differentiators in a volatile regional context.

Opportunities—and Caution—for the Local Market

Euronext’s entry into the Greek market comes with multiple advantages:

• Upgraded trading infrastructure and regulatory frameworks
• Greater visibility and liquidity for Greek stocks
• Increased institutional investor participation

However, stakeholders are also voicing cautious optimism, as concerns linger:

• Centralization of decision-making outside of Greece
• Possible marginalization of smaller domestic firms
• Stricter EU-aligned governance and reporting requirements

Regulators such as the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and the Bank of Greece now face the challenge of ensuring balanced integration—maximizing benefits from European alignment while safeguarding local oversight and market diversity.

The deal could serve as a catalyst for further reforms and innovations in Greece’s financial sector, reinforcing its position not only as a destination for foreign capital, but as a regional financial hub of strategic importance.

Source: pagenews.gr