Sure! Here’s a rewritten version:
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Hi there! I’m starting today’s column by mentioning our dynamic leader, Alexis. Honestly, we’re running out of new things to say at this point in the summer. What’s left to discuss about Famellos and SYRIZA? The congress was marked by only a couple of memorable moments: a delegate delivering a speech in a tank top, another from Mykonos, and a few individuals from Avgi perspiring in the Peristeri stadium due to malfunctioning air conditioning. So, I reached out to some analysts regarding the “Tsipras Party,” especially with cousin Giorgos Tsipras stepping away—although I’m not quite certain of their current closeness. I spoke to a pollster, an election analyst, and a self-proclaimed strategist about it, and here are some takeaways from our conversation:
A) “I doubt Tsipras wants to form a party before elections just to lose to Mitsotakis again. It’s smarter for him to wait.”
B) “While he could potentially secure 17% in votes, once he establishes the party, he’ll face criticism from all sides, including Mitsotakis and Polakis.”
C) “Instead of considering who might vote for him, look at who won’t: the anti-Tsipras or anti-SYRIZA crowd is at 80%, even higher than in 2019.”
D) “Focus groups indicate around 7% of votes are certain—which is essentially what SYRIZA has now. So, he’d just be shutting down Famellos’s operation to start a new one under his name.”
And that’s what I gathered, but if I could foresee the future, I’d be living quite lavishly!
Political “Jabs”
– During yesterday’s address at the Political Committee of New Democracy, K.M. delivered a clear jab aimed at Antonis Samaras, who is expected to make waves today at the War Museum with critiques of the government’s foreign policy. In mentioning those who “sit on the sidelines” and “self-appointed advisors” about national issues, K.M. painted a portrait of the former PM, who has been aggressively campaigning against him and fueling rumors about launching his own party.
Expanding the Base This Fall?
– K.M. also hinted at a continued strategy to broaden ND by bringing in individuals from outside its traditional circles. Some believe this could involve former minister Andreas Loverdos, who reportedly has plans to announce his political future after summer, particularly following the poor performance of his party, “Democrats,” in the European elections.
Revitalizing the Party
– New ND Secretary Kostas Skrekas aims to “revive” the party, which has been experiencing a sort of stagnation—a common issue for ruling parties. His initial focus will be on filling secretariat positions, leading up to the ONNED congress (with Orfeas Georgiou remaining president). Additionally, internal elections for regional and local offices will take place this fall, along with the selection of congress delegates. The party congress is tentatively scheduled for December or early next year, depending on logistics.
Speakers for the Pre-Investigative Debate
– Parliament is organizing Wednesday’s lengthy session, during which three motions for establishing a pre-investigative committee will be discussed. Predictions suggest the results of the secret ballot will be revealed in the early morning hours. Of the 14 political figures set to be referred, only four are anticipated to speak: from ND, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Kostas Karamanlis; from SYRIZA, Christos Spirtzis and Marina Chrysoveloni. The others will submit written statements.
Residence Permits for the 12-Year-Old’s Parents on Voridis’s Orders
– The tragedy of the two children who drowned in the Arachthos River has deeply affected us all, as has the parents’ decision to donate their organs. It’s imperative that the state provides all necessary support, particularly for the parents of the 12-year-old boy of Albanian descent who wish to attend his funeral in Albania but fear they can’t return to Greece due to residency issues. When Minister Makis Voridis learned of this from ND MP Giorgos Stylios, he stated, “I’ll take care of it personally” and instructed his team to act swiftly.
Ambassador-at-Large?
– A government insider mentioned that there’s talk of appointing an ambassador-at-large—either a man or a woman—in Washington, selecting from Greece’s notable figures. Are we perhaps envious of the Americans with George or Kimberly? Time will tell…
Telis–Ivan–M.M.
– We had initially planned to discuss new shareholders in PAOK concerning a capital increase with older shareholders waiving rights, but it now feels somewhat coincidental as Telis Mystakidis’s unexpected emergence in PAOK’s inner circle has caused quite a stir. The billionaire Telis has announced an agreement with the amateur PAOK club for constructing a new Toumba stadium, bypassing Savvidis, the owner of the football company. Mystakidis, one of the wealthiest Greeks living abroad, has been eyeing PAOK for two years, hoping to join the football club but struggling to reach an agreement with Ivan. However, his affection for Thessaloniki and PAOK, his roots, ultimately led him back.
And Savvidis?
– Ivan, currently in exile in Rostov, appears to be taken aback by Telis’s bold entry into his domain. Observers suggest that “Savvidis hasn’t seen anything yet. Mystakidis isn’t merely investing in stadium construction; he aims to either enter or gain control of the club, conducting operations from Thessaloniki while the other tries to figure out how to funnel money into Greece.” We may be in for an exciting showdown within PAOK’s Double-Headed Eagle.
And M.M.?
– As for M.M., the sentiment is, “Telis is a reputable and accomplished businessman—and we need more like him in Greece. But steering clear of PAOK is wise. We’ve nurtured a good relationship with Ivan, and we’d prefer not to disrupt that.” Yet, it seems that distancing from Ivan and his Russian connections has quietly begun. The rest is just chatter.
The “Wizards” of the Stock Market and Their Trades
Over the years, the Athens Stock Exchange has seen memorable figures who made indelible marks—often private investors, and less frequently professional fund managers, who each crafted their legend before typically experiencing a spectacular downfall. I bring this up to acknowledge Helikon, founded in the summer of 2019 by three Italians after parting ways with Julius Baer. This fund has astonishingly adept insights into the Greek market, with 70% of its portfolio in Greek stocks, as if they possess a sixth sense. They seem to know precisely when to invest, which stocks to target, and when to cash out. Word has it they’re currently acquiring shares of ADMIE and the Thessaloniki Port Authority.
Indian Investment Interests
– A gathering of 40 entrepreneurs from India and Cyprus occurred on Sunday during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. Addressing the business community, Modi characterized the India-Cyprus partnership as strategic, highlighting India’s interest in investing in shipping, Mediterranean ports, and tourism. He also mentioned that India is nearing a free trade agreement with the EU.
Optimism for the Bank of Cyprus
– This coming Friday, the Bank of Cyprus will replace ELLAKTOR on the FTSE25 Large Cap index, having surpassed a market cap of €2.7 billion. On June 25, the Bank will distribute its €0.80/share dividend for the 2024 fiscal year. Then on August 5, it will announce first-half results, which market sources anticipate will include a significant interim dividend for the 2025 fiscal year. Following this, on August 7, the rebalancing of the MSCI index will be revealed, for which the Bank’s management has high expectations. With deferred taxation off their books, a lower deposit cost base, and a strong capital adequacy ratio, the Bank of Cyprus is becoming a standout in the local stock market, showing a 14.6% gain in the quarter and over 37% year-to-date.
Collaboration on the B’ Coast Redevelopment
– In relation to the redevelopment of the B’ Coast area in Voula, three distinct food and entertainment zones will be created along the beachfront—each tailored to one of the project partners. While there will be shared public areas, each will also offer individual spaces hosting bars, restaurants, and cafes. For Konstantakopoulos, this aligns with linking the investment to the new Hilton. However, the rationale behind Prokopiou and Kokkalis each opting for separate venues remains unclear.
Positive Recommendations for Profile
– It began three months ago when Eurobank Equities set a target price of €6.80 for Profile stock, even before seeing the company results. A month later, Optima adjusted this to €7.40. Recently, Alpha Finance and Kepler Cheuvreux announced their first analysis of Profile Software’s stock with a “buy” recommendation and a price target of €8.20. Alpha’s report highlights Profile Software as one of Greece’s premier IT companies, known for delivering innovative, flexible solutions across Banking, Investments, Management, and Fintech, boasting a global presence and a 30-year legacy. According to the latest Gartner report, Profile ranks among the top ten software vendors in Europe, has a €130 million contract backlog, and is expected to see annual revenue growth of 13% through 2030. Its stocks currently trade slightly under €6 on the exchange, with a market cap nearing €147 million.
Profit Through Recycling
– ENVIPCO, an American company specializing in environmental products and based in Connecticut, has made waves in many countries by developing and operating Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) designed to recover used packaging. TEXAN S.A., based in Attica and specializing in environmental management, is ENVIPCO’s exclusive distributor in Greece and Cyprus for packaging recycling. Together, they established Greece’s first recycling machine production unit (ULTRA – 48) outside the U.S., making Greece a key hub for Europe. On June 26, TEXAN and ENVIPCO will host an official ceremony to introduce the Greek Recycling Ambassador at the Recycling and Environmental Education Park in Kamatero, officiated by Environment Minister St. Papastavrou and Development Minister T. Theodorikakos.
Caught in Confusion
– Since early yesterday morning, investors on the Athens Stock Exchange have been scrutinizing analyses from both Greek and international investment houses regarding the potential impact of the geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East on global economies and markets. Concurrently, they were digesting the optimistic comments from President Trump, who claimed that military activity would diminish, asserting that “common sense will prevail.” Many American investors seemed to place their trust in the President’s assurances, as Wall Street futures and global oil prices hinted at a peaceful resolution. In Athens, however, the General Index initially fell by as much as -0.52%, quickly bounced back, surged to +0.55%, and eventually closed just slightly lower at 1,834.40 points (-0.05%). Despite this, turnover indicated underlying caution, amounting to €154.54 million, with €7.8 million in block trades. Among the banks, Eurobank led (+1.56%) at €2.7380 and maintained a market cap above €10 billion, followed by Alpha Bank (+1.15%) at €2.7360. National Bank (+0.93%) was valued at €10.85 with a market cap of €9.9 billion, while Piraeus Bank climbed +0.73% to €5.54.
GEK TERNA Eyes €20, Elval Halcor and Ave Set New Records
– Despite the prevailing negative sentiment in the market yesterday, GEK TERNA is making strides towards the €20 milestone, a price not seen above since February 2000. Over the past three sessions, it has breached that level intraday on two occasions, and unless a major shift occurs, it seems poised to break through solidly. Analysts have an average target price of €26.50—33.2% above current levels, with infrastructure rights anticipated as a growth driver. ElvalHalcor continues its upward trend with five consecutive days of gains, touching €2.55, although it closed slightly lower from the day’s peak. Still, this has renewed its four-year record. If it reaches €2.60, it will hit numbers not seen since May 2008. Investors responded positively to the acquisition of 40% of Bazaar supermarkets, pushing Ave’s stock price above €0.60 for the first time since August 2010, rising by +8.1% in Monday’s trading—its best performance in two months, with a turnover exceeding €140,000 and volume surpassing 235,000 shares.
43% of American Households Invest in Wall Street
– As inflation persists above 3%, prices rise, and wages stagnate, the financial health of the average American household is closely linked to Wall Street’s performance. The percentage of households holding stocks is one of the highest on record, surpassing peaks seen during the Dot-Com bubble in the 1990s by over four percentage points. In the wake of the financial crisis, only 19% of households owned stocks. Notably, non-American investors now control 60% of all U.S. stocks and bonds, with around $19 trillion in American equities owned by foreign investors. Consequently, non-U.S. investors hold $26 trillion more in U.S. assets than Americans possess abroad. The net international investment position of the U.S. has doubled in recent years, and these statistics bear significant implications, especially if global confidence in American governmental decisions begins to wane.
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