Vital Role of the Vienna Stock Exchange
The Vienna Stock Exchange, Austria’s exclusive securities marketplace, serves as a central hub for market data across Central and Eastern Europe. Administered by Wiener Börse AG, the exchange strives to be both customer-focused and market-oriented, fundamentally supporting Austria’s financial market.
Operating alongside the main securities exchange is the Energy Exchange Austria (EXAA), based in Vienna, which serves as a vital energy trading platform in Central Europe.
Blossoming Through the Centuries
- Founded in 1771 by Empress Maria Theresa, it stands as one of the oldest exchanges globally.
- Nonstop activity from Monday to Friday, 8:55 a.m. to 5:35 p.m.
- By mid-2020, it boasted a market cap over 90 billion euros with 85 trading members, 117 ETFs, and more than 140 indices.
Diverse Contributions and Responsibilities
Managing Austria’s equities, bonds, and structured products, the Vienna Stock Exchange offers services like index creation and grows investment education through financial seminars. Committing to corporate social responsibility, it aims to nurture environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable progress in Austria.
Its twin goals are strengthening the local market and fostering stronger international networks in Central and Eastern Europe, striving to attract global investors to regional opportunities.
Thriving Legacy of Financial Customs
The saga of the Vienna Stock Exchange began in a period buoyed by initial bond and instrument trades. The watershed moment for stock trading arrived in 1818 with the listing of shares, including those of the Austrian National Bank.
Despite challenges, such as World Wars and regional economic turbulence, milestone inclusions like the 1929 crash to contemporary timelines highlight revival phases. The exchange overcame war-induced closures and market downturns, reemerging by 1948 and steadily growing its bond market through the latter 20th century until a substantial capital market flourished in 1985 after favorable international analysis highlighted Austria’s potential.
Conclusion
The Vienna Stock Exchange’s prolonged endurance through centuries stands as a strong testament to its resilience and critical role in not just Austrian but also broader Central and Eastern European financial landscapes.
Related Terms: capital markets, corporate social responsibility, bonds, bills of exchange, Stock Market Crash 1929.
References
- Wiener Börse AG. “Commodity Exchange”.
