Hellenic Exchanges 2010 profits drop 28%

Hellenic Exchanges, the operator of Greece's stock and futures markets, said on Wednesday full-year 2010 profit dropped 28%, hurt by weak trading volumes amid the country's debt crisis.
Net profit dropped to 21.3 mln euros ($29.58 mln) as group revenue shrank 21% to 61.7 mln. The country's debt crisis weighed on trading activity, which halved in value since peaking in October 2009.
Results were also hurt by a 7.9 mln euro one-off corporate tax, imposed by the government as part of efforts to shore up public finances.
The company plans to distribute a dividend of 15 cents a share, as well as a further 10 cents a share by way of capital return to shareholders.
Hellenic Exchanges shares closed up 3.2% on Wednesday at 6.19 euros before the earnings release. They have gained 22.5% in the year-to-date, outperforming the broader market's 7.9% advance.