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Škoda Group, a manufacturer of transport technology, returned to profitability last year and nearly doubled its operating profit, EBITDA. The energy group ČEZ has established a new subsidiary, ČEZ Energy, which will cover the customer segment of the group as part of a broader optimization of the ownership structure. Discussions about a potential squeeze-out of minority shareholders of ČEZ are continuing in connection with the planned restructuring of the company. At the same time, the Prague Stock Exchange is preparing a new product, the first ETF linked to the PX index, which should make it easier for small investors to access the domestic stock market.

Škoda Group, a manufacturer of transport technology, increased its operating profit, EBITDA, by approximately 150 percent to 3.5 billion crowns last year. The EBITDA margin reached ten percent. The group had a net profit of 946 million crowns and thus returned to profitability last year. Revenues increased by five percent to 35.7 billion crowns. The group secured new orders worth a record 43 billion crowns, which is approximately one percent more year-on-year. This was announced by company representatives at a press conference.

The energy group ČEZ, following a decision by the shareholders' meeting in early June to optimize the ownership structure and management, has established a new subsidiary that covers the customer area. Its name is ČEZ Energy. Daniel Beneš is the chairman of the board of the new company, and Pavel Cyrani is the general manager. In the coming months, the customer segment of the group, including electricity and gas distribution and sales, commodity trading, and energy services, is expected to be transferred to ČEZ Energy, with ČEZ intending to retain at least a 51 percent stake in the new company.

Discussions about the future structure of ČEZ are continuing in connection with the issue of a potential squeeze-out of minority shareholders. Analysts point out that any such squeeze-out should be transparent and under conditions that meet the standards of developed markets, in order not to damage the confidence of foreign investors in the Czech capital market.

The Prague Stock Exchange has seen significantly increased investor interest in recent years, and the number of shareholders of domestic companies has increased sharply. The exchange is also preparing another innovation - by the end of the year, the first ETF linked to the PX index is expected to be launched, which should make it easier for small investors to access a wide range of domestic stocks at a simpler and cheaper price.

gnews.cz - GH

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Tradingeconomics.com

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