2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1991

2008

In May 2008, WOOD & Co acted as Co-Lead Manager and Czech Lead Manager of the IPO of NWR on the LSE, PSE and the WSE. NWR is the producer of high quality coking and thermal coal for the steel and energy sectors. The GBP 1.3bn offering was the biggest LSE IPO in 2008 to date and the biggest ever IPO on PSE.

WOOD & Co acted as the Sole Financial Adviser, mandated by Warburg Pincus, in a successful consolidation play on the Czech and Slovak web portal markets. In the first key step, WOOD & Co advised Warburg Pincus on its acquisition of a majority stake in Centrum CZ Holdings B.V., which operates Centrum.cz, the second largest portal in the Czech Republic, and Centrum.sk, the leading Slovak web portal. In the second key step, Warburg Pincus, advised by WOOD & Co, acquired 100% stake in Atlas.cz a.s., the third largest portal in the Czech Republic and Atlas.sk a.s., the leading Slovak web portal.

2007

In 2007. WOOD & Co has executed its first and so far also the largest merchant banking deal when assisted in creating Window Holding Limited by joining two leading Czech window manufacturing companies Vekra and Otherm.

In June 2007 the partners and shareholders of WOOD & Co sold 50% stake in WOOD Group to Nordic investment bank Straumur Burdaras. Straumur is Iceland’s largest investment bank, listed on Icelandic stock exchange and offers a complete range of integrated investment banking services, including capital markets, corporate finance, debt finance and asset management services.

In May 2007 WOOD & Co opened an office in Bucharest and executed its first ever transaction in Romania when Wood WOOD & Co became the Sole Financial Adviser for Impact Developer & Contractor on capital increase of EUR 46m and also was the Sole Financial Adviser to the Vendor when the major shareholder of Impact sold EUR 9.6m of equity in the company to Lehman Brothers Real Estate Partners.

In April 2007, WOOD & Co has become an exclusive member of M &A International (MAI) for the Czech and Slovak Republics. MAI is the world’s leading alliance of mid-market merger & acquisition specialist with over 500 professional advisors in 41 member firms in 39 countries. To find out more about MAI go here

2006

In 2006 Wood & Company focused on expanding its trading activities in other central and eastern European countries, mainly in fast-growing Poland and Hungary. In Warsaw we managed to boost our low market share from 0.3% to 0.9%, partly thanks to the dual listing of shares of power company CEZ, the region's largest listed stock. In Hungary our position has strengthened even more significantly. For the whole year we executed 2.8% of the overall trades compared to just 0.8% a year ago. We seek to further improve these numbers this year. Despite a major change in the Prague bourse's way of trade calculation (when all large brokers saw their numbers falling sharply) we managed to post flat trading volumes for the last year, driven by a sharp increase in trading abroad (the volume outside of the Czech Republic quadrupled). To the end of last year, we were bourse members in Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, Vienna, Xtra Frankfurt and we also plan to become members in Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia.

2005

WOOD & Co executed several landmark transactions for the Czech capital market such as the largest ever mandatory buyout for the shares of Český Telecom, the largest ever block trade with Zentiva shares and the largest ever bond issue for a Czech private company SMVaK. WOOD & Co also expanded its regional reach and became a member of Frankfurt, Warsaw and Budapest stock exchanges and maintained its dominant position in equity trading on the Prague Stock Exchange by achieving a market share of 23%.

2004

WOOD & Co finished the year with excellent market share of 21% on the Prague Stock Exchange and became a member of Vienna stock exchange mainly to offer its domestic clients access to Western European markets. Euromoney again recognized WOOD & Company as the best equity house in the Czech Republic.

Euromoney Award:
The best equity house in the Czech Republic 2004

2003

WOOD & Company further strengthened its position on the Prague Stock Exchange by increasing its market share to 23%. Its leading position on the Czech capital market was again recognized by Euromoney magazine.

Euromoney Award:
The best equity house in the Czech Republic 2003

2002

WOOD & Company opened an office in Bratislava with the aim to participate in the upcoming privatizations in Slovakia and provide M&A advisory services to local corporate clientele. WOOD & Company strengthened its positions on the Prague Stock Exchange by increasing its market share to 21%. Its dominant position on the market was again recognized by Euromoney magazine.

Euromoney Award for Excellence:
Best Equity House, Czech Republic

2001

Most satellite offices closed in strategic reorganization that refocuses the firm's efforts back on its most established businesses in Prague and Bratislava.

Euromoney Award:
Best Domestic Securities House, Czech Republic

2000

Istanbul representative office opened

Euromoney Awards for Excellence:
Best Domestic Securities House
Euromoney Awards for Excellence:
Best Domestic Securities House in Central & Eastern Europe
Central European Awards:
Best Brokerage, Czech Republic, First Runner-Up
Central European Awards:
First runner-up best research house Czech Republic 2000

1999

London sales and sales/trading office opened in London to service international clients

1998

Wood & Co. shareholders swap their 50% stake in WoodCommerz for Commerzbank's stake in Wood & Company

Central European Awards for Excellence:
Best Regional Brokerage
Euromoney Awards for Excellence:
Best Securities Firm, Czech Republic
Ukraine Business Award:
Best Broker, Ukraine

1997

Budapest office opened Euromoney Award: Best Securities House

Ukraine Business Award:
Best Broker, Ukraine
Investycijna Gazeta:
Best International Broker, Ukraine

1996

Ukraine office opened. Commerzbank acquires a 25% stake in Wood & Co., and the two companies enter into an equal partnership to form WoodCommerz, a regional bond business

1995

 

Euromoney Award:
Best Broker, Czech Republic

1994

Warsaw office opened

1993

The firm executes the very first trade on the Prague Stock Exchange with international investors with shares of CEZ. The firm becomes a licensed securities dealer in Czechoslovakia

1991

Richard Wood establishes Wood & Company in Prague as a corporate finance advisory business in Czechoslovakia in cooperation with Salomon Brothers