- Record PBT 2025 of EUR 53,4 million, turnover of EUR 90.1 million
- Listings in growth segment, upgrade to EU SME Growth Market
- Securities ownership on the rise despite lack of incentives
(Vienna) Wiener Börse AG has closed the 2025 financial year with record figures, confirming its successful growth trajectory as the region’s key capital market infrastructure. This momentum was driven by the Austrian equity market, which reached new record highs and outperformed major international indices by a significant margin. In 2025, the stock exchange group recorded three new listings on the direct market plus for SMEs and two IPOs on the Prague Stock Exchange. With the planned registration of the direct market plus as an EU SME Growth Market, the Vienna Stock Exchange is further facilitating access to the capital market for SMEs, subject to regulatory approval. In the debt listing sector, Vienna Stock Exchange underpinned its position as Europe’s most active listing venue with around 31,500 primary listings in 2025.
“Austria’s stock market is at an all-time high and stands out in international comparison. To put it in terms of the World Cup: dividends are the playmaker of our market – renowned and sought-after worldwide. In addition to attractive payouts, Austria’s listed companies impress with solid business models and international competitiveness. These qualities need to be leveraged more effectively for pension provision, broad participation and long-term wealth preservation,” says Christoph Boschan, CEO of Wiener Börse AG.
“The rise in securities ownership in Austria shows that many people have long recognised the advantages offered by the capital market. This interest must be further encouraged through better political framework conditions. The national reform of occupational pension schemes and the implementation of the EU Listing Act are positive steps, but they are no substitute for a comprehensive capital markets strategy. Austria must follow international best practice standards in this regard. Only then can the capital market fully realise its potential to contribute to growth, strengthen the country’s competitiveness and ensure intergenerational prosperity,” says Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger, Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board of Wiener Börse AG.
Another record for consolidated earnings
In 2025, Wiener Börse AG’s pre-tax profit rose to EUR 53.4 million (2024: EUR 50.1 million), marking a new record year for the gGroup. Group revenue increased to EUR 90.1 million (2024: EUR 81.8 million). Persistently high volatility on international markets also gave a further boost to the exchange group’s equity turnover: this amounted to EUR 84 billion (2024: EUR 74 billion). The Vienna Stock Exchange accounted for EUR 67 billion equity turnover, and the Prague Stock Exchange for EUR 18 billion. In addition to trading & listing, revenue from the custody business in the Czech Republic (Central Securities Depository Prague) and from data sales made a significant contribution to the successful business performance. In 2025, Wiener Börse AG employed an average of 169.0 employees (full-time equivalents).
Austrian stock market hits record high, shareholdings rise
Austrian and Czech shares were in particularly high demand amid brisk trading activity last year. The ATX, including dividends (total return), broke through several ‘thousand-point marks’ in 2025 and, with growth of 52.17%, was among the top international performers, as was the Czech benchmark index PX TR, which rose by 61.42%. The upward trend has continued this year, with the Austrian benchmark index crossing the 15,000-point threshold for the first time. At the same time, securities holdings in Austria have risen further: according to the ‘Austrian Stock Barometer’ – a study by the Federation of Austrian Industries, Aktienforum and the Vienna Stock Exchange – 31% of the Austrian resident population now holds securities. Compared with the first survey in 2023, this represents an increase of almost 25%.
Austria lagging behind on investment incentives
There is further potential to underpin this rising participation with significant investment volumes. In this regard, the Vienna Stock Exchange views the reform of occupational pension schemes and the implementation of the EU Listing Act at national level positively. However, to sustainably strengthen the Austrian capital market, more comprehensive steps are needed to put the growth reserve of over 350 billion euros in low-interest deposits or cash to productive use.
“The key clearly lies in strengthening private provision. Here, it is simply a matter of following the European Union’s recommendation and establishing savings and investment accounts with tax advantages. Germany and Poland are currently leading the way, whilst the Czech Republic exempts capital gains from tax after a three-year holding period. In Austria, by contrast, personal pension provision is burdened with record-breaking taxes: 27.5 per cent of already taxed earned income,” says Boschan.
Photo gallery of the annual press briefing
About Wiener Börse AG
As the central infrastructure provider in the region, Wiener Börse AG opens doors to global markets. It unites the stock exchanges in Vienna and Prague. Listed companies benefit from maximum liquidity there, and as the market leader it offers investors fast and inexpensive trading. Wiener Börse collects and distributes price data and calculates the most important indices for a dozen markets in the region. Thanks to its unique know-how, the national exchanges in Budapest, Ljubljana and Zagreb also rely on the IT services of the Vienna Stock Exchange. In addition, it is involved in other energy exchanges and clearing houses in the region.
Disclaimer
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and projections based on assumptions current at the date of this press release. We assume no liability whatsoever that these forward-looking statements will occur. Furthermore, we expressly point out that this press release does not serve as a basis for an investment decision and constitutes neither an invitation to buy nor an investment recommendation by Wiener Börse AG. The information in this press release is provided without guarantee.
