On Tuesday, 12 February Atlas Estates Ltd debuted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange Main List. Atlas Estates is the second company – after ASBIS – whose shares are dual-listed on AIM (London Stock Exchange alternative market) and on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Atlas Estates is the 24th foreign company listed on the WSE and yet another firm from the London stock market which decided to float its shares on the WSE. In 2007, two companies traded in London chose to double-list on the WSE: ASBIS (listed on AIM) and Plaza Centers (listed on the LSE Main Market).
Atlas Estates’ decision to float its shares on the WSE confirms the attractiveness of the Polish market not only for companies from the Central and Eastern Europe but also for those from Western Europe. That is also the effect of promoting the Warsaw trading floor in relation to building a financial centre of European significance.
The construction of a regional financial centre is WSE’s main goal for the upcoming years. To materialise this plan, the WSE uses competitive advantages of both the Polish market and the economy as a whole. An essential aspect weighing on foreign issuers’ decision to offer shares in Poland is a large, stable and diversified investor base that guarantees capital accessibility. This increases the chances of a successful offer and gives a better valuation on the first trading day as well as during consequent sessions.
The above-mentioned advantages of the WSE are appreciated by foreign companies that decide to list in Warsaw. –The debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange is a very essential stage in the development of our company. We are sure that our presence on another stock exchange will accelerate the evolution of Atlas Estates. Additionally we anticipate that this decision will enable us to find new investment possibilities which will increase the value of Atlas Estates – explains Quentin Spicer, Atlas Estates CEO. – The WSE listing will assure better liquidity of company’s shares and will be an answer to our investors’ needs.
Atlas Estates invests in the Central and Eastern European real estate market. The company carries out mainly real estate develpment investments. Earning generating property, such as office buildings and hotels, is also included in the company’s portfolio. The company is present in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria.
The current overall value of Atlas Estates portfolio (including shares in joint-venture businesses) is 489 mln euros. The assets portfolio of Atlas Estates is managed by Atlas Management Company.
The company plans further investments in Central and Eastern Europe. Atlas Estates aims to expand in countries where it is already present and in new, selected markets in the region that have favourable fundations and perspectives of further development.
