The consolidated net after tax profits of HELEX for H1 2009 amounted to EUR16.9m vs. EUR35.7m in H1 2008, reduced by 53%. The consolidated turnover of the Group dropped by 49%, to EUR32m vs. EUR63.2m in the first half of 2008. This reduction is mainly due to the drop in prices in the cash market of the Athens Exchange, as the volume of transactions (number of shares that changed hands) remained at the same level as last year. The total value of transactions in H1 2009 amounted to EUR20.5bn vs. EUR49.2bn in H1 2008, reduced by 58%.

In the derivatives market, in H1 2009 the volume of transactions (number of contracts) posted a small 4.6% drop compared to H1 2008 (44.5 thousand vs. 46.6 thousand contracts respectively).

During the second quarter of 2009, the Group also posted non-recurring revenue of EUR1.8m from the claim on the tax paid on the Capital Market Commission fee in fiscal year 2000, which, following the Company's recourse to the Courts against the Greek State, in the final judgment, the Council of State decided that it should be paid to HELEX by the Greek State.

Total operating expenses amounted to EUR11.6m vs. EUR13.6m in the corresponding period last year, reduced by 15%.

The Group's EBIT in H1 2009 amounted to EUR19.4m vs. EUR44.7m in the corresponding period last year, a 57% reduction.

The net profits per share in H1 2009 amounted to EUR0.26 vs. EUR0.51 in the first half last year, reduced by 49%.

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