The total value of the top one hundred Czech-owned enterprises has reached nearly four trillion crowns, according to the latest data compiled by Seznam Zprávy in cooperation with valuation experts from Deloitte.
Daniel Křetínský, the family of Renáta Kellnerová, and Michal Strnad retain their positions as the wealthiest individuals in the country. The ranking determines success by estimating the market value that companies bring to their owners.
“Žebříček Česká elita je unikátním barometrem růstu síly tuzemských firem pod kontrolou domácích vlastníků, což ilustrují stále častější a odvážnější zahraniční akvizice, na které si tuzemské firmy troufají, i to, že některé z nich volí pro získání zdrojů pro svůj další rozvoj vstup na kapitálové trhy,” said Robert Čásenský, editor-in-chief of Seznam Zprávy, Novinky reported.
Energy Holding EPH Reaches 561 Billion Crowns
The winning energy holding EPH grew by nearly forty percent over the past year, with its current value estimated at 561 billion crowns. The growth was driven primarily by rising electricity prices and the corresponding revaluation of major European energy groups.
EPH owns and operates power plants, heating plants, mines, gas pipelines, and other energy infrastructure across multiple European countries. Křetínský has expanded investments beyond energy in recent years, including the takeover of British postal operator Royal Mail and its logistics subsidiary GLS.
He also invested in French retail chains Casino and Fnac Darty alongside German wholesaler Metro. Domestically, his portfolio includes media house Czech News Center and a majority stake in football club Sparta Praha.
Křetínský consolidated his primary investments under the EP Group brand, where he holds an 89.3 percent stake while managers own the remainder. Meanwhile, the PPF Group held the second position with a valuation of 512 billion crowns.
PPF and Industrial Groups Face Market Shifts
Renáta Kellnerová and her three daughters are the sole owners of the PPF group. Elsewhere in the top tier, ammunition and defense holding Czechoslovak Group reached a valuation of 420 billion crowns after a spring stock market debut.
The state and semi-state companies, including ČEZ, Lesy ČR, and Letiště Praha, were evaluated in a separate category this year. The top ten state-participating companies collectively represent a value exceeding one trillion crowns.
Top Ten Domestic Enterprises
| Company Name | Valuation in Billions of Crowns |
|---|---|
| EPH | 561 |
| PPF Group | 512 |
| Allwyn | 261 |
| Penta | 136 |
| CPI Property Group | 122 |
| STV Group | 110 |
| Tipsport | 94 |
Questions About the Czech Elite Ranking
How is the value of each company calculated?
The ranking relies on an estimate of the market value that individual companies deliver directly to their owners. Foreign-owned brands such as Škoda Auto or Pilsner Urquell are excluded because the project evaluates only businesses with Czech roots and domestic owners.
Why is ČEZ missing from the main list?
State and semi-state enterprises were separated into a distinct category for this year’s assessment. This change also moved entities like Lesy ČR and Letiště Praha out of the primary corporate ranking.
What factors drove the growth of EPH?
The primary driver behind the expansion of Daniel Křetínský’s holding was the renewed increase in electricity prices. This market shift boosted the valuation of large energy infrastructure groups across Europe.
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