Czech industrial and defence holding CSG Marks Successful Stock Market Debut in Amsterdam

The Czechoslovak Group (CSG) went public on the Euronext Amsterdam on Friday. Shares rose sharply on the first day of trading, enabling CSG to overtake energy giant ČEZ in market capitalisation and become the most valuable company in the Czech Republic.

The Czech industrial and defence holding Czechoslovak Group (CSG), owned by entrepreneur Michal Strnad, was listed on the Euronext Amsterdam on Friday, 23 January. Shares jumped significantly on the first trading day, making CSG one of Europe’s leading publicly listed industrial companies.

The IPO is the result of long-term and systematic development within the group. It underscores the company’s stability, its international credibility, and its ability to meet the highest standards in transparency, reporting, and corporate governance, CSG stated on its website.

Foto: Michal Strnad | Czechoslovak Group

On the first day of trading, the company’s shares rose by 31.4 per cent to €32.85, roughly 800 Czech koruna. This performance allowed CSG to surpass energy company ČEZ in market capitalisation, making it currently the most valuable company in the Czech Republic. According to news agency Bloomberg, Strnad is now considered the world’s richest defence entrepreneur and the third wealthiest person under 40 globally.

Strnad described the IPO as a milestone for CSG. The move to the capital market confirmed the group’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in transparency, reporting, and corporate governance. At the same time, it strengthens the ability to invest in innovation, expand international presence, and further consolidate its role as a long-term provider of modern defence and industrial solutions for NATO countries and state partners worldwide.

According to Euronext, CSG raised a total of €3.8 billion (CZK 92.2 billion) through the sale of shares, representing 15.2 percent of the share capital. Analysts say this marks the largest initial public offering by a defence company to date. Based on the final issue price of €25 per share, the group was valued at around €25 billion (CZK 607 billion).