Czech Titans of Industry: ČEZ, EPH, and Agrofert Lead as Most Valuable Firms

The Ranking of Czech Giants

The latest ranking of the most valuable Czech companies has placed ČEZ, Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH), and Agrofert at the top. This list, compiled by Seznam Zprávy in collaboration with Deloitte, showcases the economic powerhouses of the Czech Republic. ČEZ, primarily state-owned, leads with an estimated value of around 476 billion Czech koruna.

The Top Contenders

Following ČEZ is EPH, owned by billionaire Daniel Křetínský, with an estimated value of 271 billion Czech koruna. Agrofert, valued at over 200 billion Czech koruna, takes the third spot. Other companies in the ranking fall below the 200 billion threshold. The list, titled “Czech Elite,” includes a hundred firms with at least a billion koruna in value and under Czech ownership. The main criterion for the ranking is the estimated price for which the companies could be sold or bought.

Diverse Sectors Represented

The top ten of the ranking, alongside ČEZ, includes another state enterprise, Lesy ČR. The rest belong to the private sector, representing diverse fields like energy, real estate, arms, and banking. Ten of the hundred companies operate in the energy sector, which has thrived recently due to rising energy prices. Seven companies in the ranking are state-owned.

The Criteria for Inclusion

To be included in the ranking, companies needed to have roots in the Czech Republic, a base of operations, legal anchoring, and tax obligations in the country. Another key criterion was that the companies formed a homogeneous whole or a sectorally interconnected organism.

Different Perspective for Investment Groups

For investment groups and holdings primarily managing family wealth or private investors’ assets, a different approach was applied. These entities are significant players on the economic scene, but if they cover a diverse cluster of companies across various sectors, their subsidiaries were given priority in the ranking. Thus, instead of conglomerates like PPF, Penta, or KKCG, controlled companies such as O2, Fortuna, or Allwyn (an international holding including Sazka and its foreign affiliates) were listed.

Most Valuable Czech Companies

1. | ČEZ | 476 billion | state
2. | EPH | 271 billion | Daniel Křetínský, Patrik Tkáč
3. | Agrofert | 210 billion | Andrej Babiš
4. | Allwyn | 159 billion | Karel Komárek
5. | CPI | 67 billion | Radovan Vítek
6. | Czechoslovak Group | 53 billion | Michal Strnad
7. | Sev.en Global Investments | 48 billion | Pavel Tykač
8. | O2 Czech Republic | 47 billion | Renáta Kellnerová and family
9. | Lesy ČR | 46 billion | state
10. | Moneta Money Bank | 46 billion | Renáta Kellnerová and family Source: Seznam Zprávy, Deloitte

This ranking not only highlights the most valuable Czech companies but also reflects the diversity and strength of the Czech economy. From energy to banking, these firms demonstrate the capability of the Czech Republic to create and sustain businesses with significant added value, attracting interest both domestically and internationally.

source: https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/ekonomika-firmy-ceska-elita-zebricek-firem-239768