EAST CAPITAL REWARDS THIS YEAR’S EASTERN EUROPEAN COMPANIES – BEST GROWTH, BEST IPO AND DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR –
For the fourth year running, East Capital is presenting the East Capital Awards to three of Eastern Europe’s most successful companies. This year’s winners received their accolades on 22 November at a ceremony at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, with four hundred guests present. This year’s winners are CME for Best Growth, Halkbank for Best IPO and FESCO for East Capital Discovery of the Year.
East Capital has been investing in Eastern Europe for 10 years now. It is a region undergoing rapid change and demonstrating strong growth. With the East Capital Awards, East Capital’s intention is to single out and give recognition to the most outstanding companies that take an active part in this development. Both quantitative and qualitative criteria have been taken into account.
Peter Elam Håkansson, Chairman of East Capital, explains, ”We are constantly exploring Eastern Europe and every year our fund managers and analysts visit over 500 companies in the region. Some of the companies in which we invest are performing fantastically and deserve recognition for this. These companies are creating growth in Eastern Europe and thereby returns for our funds.”
The award for Best Growth is presented to the company that has demonstrated the best growth in sales, assets and profit margins in recent years. Best IPO goes to the company that has carried out the most successful floatation in the region. East Capital Discovery of the Year is awarded to the company that is deemed to have unique results and performance.
Winners of the East Capital Awards 2007
Best Growth
Founded merely 13 years ago, CME has grown to become the leading television broadcaster in Central and Eastern Europe. CME is broadcasting to 91 million people in the Czech Republic, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Ukraine and Croatia. The prospects for continued strong growth and high margins are promising.
Best IPO
Halkbank is Turkey’s 7th largest bank with around 600 branches countrywide. Halkbank´s IPO this year was skilfully executed and the largest ever in Turkey. The bank has continued to show strong growth which is clearly reflected in the first half year numbers for 2007, with a loan book growing significantly more than the market average.
East Capital Discovery of the Year
In a short period, FESCO has successfully transformed itself from a local shipping company in Vladivostok into a national logistics provider combining ship, rail and truck transportation with container terminals. Today, FESCO is Russia’s leading integrated transportation- and logistics group and the country’s largest container operator.
Facts about East Capital
Founded in 1997, East Capital is a leading, independent asset manager specialising in Eastern European financial markets. The company, which is headquartered in Stockholm, with offices in Paris, Tallinn, Moscow, Oslo, Hong Kong and Milan, actively manages over EUR 5.1bn, basing its investment strategy on thorough knowledge of the markets, fundamental analysis and frequent company visits by its investment teams.
Contact information:
Vesna Lucca, East Capital, phone: +46 8 505 88 693
vesna.lucca@eastcapital.com