Athens Stock Exchange Marks 150 Years With Return to 'Developed Market' Status

Greece's deputy prime minister has said that the Athens Stock Exchange has "turned a page," entering a new era as the bourse marked its 150th anniversary with its formal integration into Euronext and imminent reclassification as a developed market.

Kostis Hatzidakis told the anniversary event that Greece is now part of Europe's largest capital

He said the reclassification to developed-market status by STOXX, S&P Dow Jones Indices and FTSE Russell becomes official Sept. 21, with MSCI's own upgrade taking effect in May 2027.

Mr. Hatzidakis said the milestones reflect Greece's economic fundamentals rather than favorable treatment, citing growth consistently outpacing the European average, fiscal discipline, restored investment-grade credit ratings and investor-friendly policy.

He noted the Athens exchange's benchmark index is up 26.2% so far in 2026, with average daily trading value up 51.6% year-over-year and foreign investors now accounting for 70% of trading activity, up from 64% at the end of 2025.

Companies have raised €7.9 billion in capital on the exchange so far this year, Mr. Hatzidakis said, with shareholder distributions at historic highs.

He linked the exchange's revival to the government's broader goal of lifting annual investment from €45 billion to €65 billion — above 20% of GDP — citing past measures including cuts to corporate and dividend taxation and reduced taxes on listed bond interest.

He said further incentives for company listings and retail investor participation are planned.

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Greece's deputy prime minister has said that the Athens Stock Exchange has "turned a page," entering a new era as the bourse marked its 150th anniversary with its formal integration into Euronext and imminent reclassification as a developed market.

Kostis Hatzidakis told the anniversary event that Greece is now part of Europe's largest capital markets infrastructure, with Euronext spanning roughly 1,800 listed companies and a combined market value of about €7 trillion, accounting for nearly a third of Europe's transparent share trading.

He said the reclassification to developed-market status by STOXX, S&P Dow Jones Indices and FTSE Russell becomes official Sept. 21, with MSCI's own upgrade taking effect in May 2027.

Mr. Hatzidakis said the milestones reflect Greece's economic fundamentals rather than favorable treatment, citing growth consistently outpacing the European average, fiscal discipline, restored investment-grade credit ratings and investor-friendly policy.

He noted the Athens exchange's benchmark index is up 26.2% so far in 2026, with average daily trading value up 51.6% year-over-year and foreign investors now accounting for 70% of trading activity, up from 64% at the end of 2025.

Companies have raised €7.9 billion in capital on the exchange so far this year, Mr. Hatzidakis said, with shareholder distributions at historic highs.

He linked the exchange's revival to the government's broader goal of lifting annual investment from €45 billion to €65 billion — above 20% of GDP — citing past measures including cuts to corporate and dividend taxation and reduced taxes on listed bond interest.

He said further incentives for company listings and retail investor participation are planned.

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