Viennese stock exchange launches new mid market for smaller companies

29 May 2007 | News

New listing opportunities

The Vienna Stock Exchange is to launch a mid market segment for smaller companies with lower financing requirements in the middle of June.

The market will enable companies to decide between a listing on the regulated market or unregulated market. Any company seeking a listing must appoint a Capital Market Coach to carry out due diligence, support it through the listing process and also provide support services. These measures are designed to ensure quality and boost liquidity on the mid market.

The mid market will be launched with the switch of two companies, Binder + Co AG and der Hutter & Schrantz Stahlbau AG, to the mid market.

Heinrich Schaller, Joint CEO of Wiener Börse AG, says there is a growing need for capital among smaller companies in Austria and therefore, a market for raising smaller volumes of funds. “We firmly believe in the potential of the market and a number of companies have already expressed their interest. Even companies already listed on other segments could also find a new home on the mid market.”

Schaller added, “As a market for smaller companies [the mid market will] enable companies from other segments to upgrade, by switching to a listing on the mid market, and also acts as a stepping stone for the prime market, the premium segment of Wiener Börse. The medium-term goal for all companies listed on the mid market is the advancement to a listing on the prime market.”

There will be no minimum requirements in terms of the volume of shares issued or the minimum capitalisation of free float.

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