Established in 1991, the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) organises the trading of financial instruments, and operates two trading markets: the WSE Main List and NewConnect, the alternative system that was created in 2007 and features innovative, dynamic start-ups.
More than an exchange for the domestic Polish market, there are many significant international companies listed on the WSE. In fact, foreign investors have generated over one third of the volume of trading in stocks over the years. The WSE is also considered as an international exchange thanks to the presence of remote members; brokerage houses which operate on the WSE without a physical presence in Poland. The WSE is made up of 46 members, including 18 remote members, and it has long enjoyed solid public trust. The WSE offers a wide range of financial instruments: stocks, bonds, subscription rights, allotment certificates, index participation units, investment certificates, structured products and derivative contracts such as futures and options.
The WSE plays a vital role in the development of Poland’s economy, as it has given companies the opportunity to raise equity, which in turn enables them to grow and compete internationally. The value of public offerings on the WSE was over EUR 132 million in the first half of 2009, and totalled EUR 2.5 billion in 2008.
The WSE has long been regarded a European leader by the number of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). According to the IPO Watch Europe Report for Q2 of 2009, the WSE was once again the largest market measured in terms of the number of IPOs - there were 7 offerings in this period, making it the second largest market on the basis of the value of IPOs after the London Stock Exchange. The WSE was also the leader in Central and Eastern Europe by the value of trading in stocks and the capitalisation of listed companies in the first half of 2009.
In order to expand its product offering even further, the WSE plans to implement a central platform trading in debt instruments, such as corporate bonds, municipal bonds and treasury bonds. The activity of local investment and pension funds and the interest of investors combined with the potential of the Polish economy bodes well for the further growth of the exchange in Poland.
The WSE is continually expanding its offering for local and international investors, intermediaries and issuers. The alternative trading system NewConnect opened in 2007 and quickly became the leading European platform in terms of the volume of IPOs. NewConnect allows young companies to raise growth capital and is a step towards listing on the WSE main market. The WSE is dedicated to supporting and promoting corporate innovation. The WSE is also in the process of launching Poland's first stock index of responsible companies, known as the RESPECT Index in the autumn of 2009.
When it comes to reporting, the WSE reviews information practices on the Polish market in order to implement the highest information standards in Poland. It also has a policy of supporting broad access to market information. Taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the internet, the WSE has created a modern and effective communication infrastructure, giving investors and participants quick access to crucial information:
www.gpw.pl the principal website for the WSE
www.newconnect.pl the main website for NewConnect
www.gwpinfosfera.pl for comprehensive information on companies listed on the exchange.
www.wseinternational.eu is devoted to foreign companies listed on the WSE.
www.corp-gov.gpw.pl for information on corporate governance.
www.innowacyjnosc.gpw.pl is dedicated to the culture of innovation.
www.odpowiedzialni.gpw.pl provides information on the social responsibility of the WSE and details its social, educational, scientific and cultural projects and initiatives.
Did You Know?
The Polish exchange market is one of the oldest in Europe – the Merchant Exchange was established in 1817.
The Warsaw Stock Exchange was built from scratch in 1991 based on Western standards.
It listed 5 stocks, accepted 112 orders on 16 April 1991 - the first day of trading in Warsaw since World War II.
Today, the Warsaw Stock Exchange Main List lists 375 stocks including 25 foreign stocks. It processes over 205, 000 orders for stocks during each trading day; the value of trading ranges from several hundred million to several billion zlotys.
More than an exchange for the domestic Polish market, there are many significant international companies listed on the WSE. In fact, foreign investors have generated over one third of the volume of trading in stocks over the years. The WSE is also considered as an international exchange thanks to the presence of remote members; brokerage houses which operate on the WSE without a physical presence in Poland. The WSE is made up of 46 members, including 18 remote members, and it has long enjoyed solid public trust. The WSE offers a wide range of financial instruments: stocks, bonds, subscription rights, allotment certificates, index participation units, investment certificates, structured products and derivative contracts such as futures and options.
The WSE plays a vital role in the development of Poland’s economy, as it has given companies the opportunity to raise equity, which in turn enables them to grow and compete internationally. The value of public offerings on the WSE was over EUR 132 million in the first half of 2009, and totalled EUR 2.5 billion in 2008.
The WSE has long been regarded a European leader by the number of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). According to the IPO Watch Europe Report for Q2 of 2009, the WSE was once again the largest market measured in terms of the number of IPOs - there were 7 offerings in this period, making it the second largest market on the basis of the value of IPOs after the London Stock Exchange. The WSE was also the leader in Central and Eastern Europe by the value of trading in stocks and the capitalisation of listed companies in the first half of 2009.
In order to expand its product offering even further, the WSE plans to implement a central platform trading in debt instruments, such as corporate bonds, municipal bonds and treasury bonds. The activity of local investment and pension funds and the interest of investors combined with the potential of the Polish economy bodes well for the further growth of the exchange in Poland.
The WSE is continually expanding its offering for local and international investors, intermediaries and issuers. The alternative trading system NewConnect opened in 2007 and quickly became the leading European platform in terms of the volume of IPOs. NewConnect allows young companies to raise growth capital and is a step towards listing on the WSE main market. The WSE is dedicated to supporting and promoting corporate innovation. The WSE is also in the process of launching Poland's first stock index of responsible companies, known as the RESPECT Index in the autumn of 2009.
When it comes to reporting, the WSE reviews information practices on the Polish market in order to implement the highest information standards in Poland. It also has a policy of supporting broad access to market information. Taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the internet, the WSE has created a modern and effective communication infrastructure, giving investors and participants quick access to crucial information:
www.gpw.pl the principal website for the WSE
www.newconnect.pl the main website for NewConnect
www.gwpinfosfera.pl for comprehensive information on companies listed on the exchange.
www.wseinternational.eu is devoted to foreign companies listed on the WSE.
www.corp-gov.gpw.pl for information on corporate governance.
www.innowacyjnosc.gpw.pl is dedicated to the culture of innovation.
www.odpowiedzialni.gpw.pl provides information on the social responsibility of the WSE and details its social, educational, scientific and cultural projects and initiatives.
Did You Know?
The Polish exchange market is one of the oldest in Europe – the Merchant Exchange was established in 1817.
The Warsaw Stock Exchange was built from scratch in 1991 based on Western standards.
It listed 5 stocks, accepted 112 orders on 16 April 1991 - the first day of trading in Warsaw since World War II.
Today, the Warsaw Stock Exchange Main List lists 375 stocks including 25 foreign stocks. It processes over 205, 000 orders for stocks during each trading day; the value of trading ranges from several hundred million to several billion zlotys.
Further Information
Warsaw Stock Exchange
Książęca 4
00-498 Warsaw
Poland
tel. (4822) 628 32 32
fax. (4822) 628 17 54
www.gpw.pl
Further Information
Warsaw Stock Exchange
Książęca 4
00-498 Warsaw
Poland
tel. (4822) 628 32 32
fax. (4822) 628 17 54
www.gpw.pl
Polish Express
Panorama
Discover Poland
Polacy.co.uk
Fortis Media
PolskaPlusTV
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