Shares of Czech-based defense firm CSG jump on market debut
A flag with the CSG NV logo during their company’s listing at Euronext Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Friday, January 23, 2026.
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Shares of Czech-based defense firm Czechoslovak Group (CSG) rose more than 30% in its stock market debut on Friday, showing continued investor interest in defense companies amid growing European pressure for military dominance.
CSG, one of the world’s fastest growing defense companies, made its debut on the Euronext stock exchange in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Shares rose as much as 32% during the session and closed the session up 31.4%.
The Prague-based company, which produces armed vehicles, ammunition and advanced defense systems, raised a total of 3.8 billion euros in its initial public offering.
euronext in question The listing marked the world’s largest defensive IPO ever recorded, both in terms of amount raised and market capitalization.
“Today, our participation in the Euronext Amsterdam market is a historic milestone for CSG and we welcome the trust investors have shown in us,” CSG president Michal Strnad said in a statement. he said.
“Becoming a publicly traded company demonstrates our commitment to high standards of transparency, disclosure and corporate governance and strengthens our ability to invest in innovation, expands our global reach and delivers on our mission to be a critical long-term supplier of advanced defense and industrial solutions to NATO states and Government partners around the world.” he added.
The listing comes after weeks of rising geopolitical tensions, with US President Donald Trump threatening to use military force to seize Greenland from NATO ally Denmark.
But in a surprise development on Wednesday, Trump said he had agreed to the framework for a future agreement on self-governing Danish territory.
Meanwhile, in Europe, investors continue to turn to defensive stocks backed by a mix of European Union, national and private equity funds.
Strategists say Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine and the end of the US defense umbrella in Europe underpin the so-called “megatrend”.
— CNBC’s Hugh Leask contributed to this report.
