Insights from Istanbul Chamber of Industry’s 2023 Research on Turkiye’s Top 500 Industrial Enterprises
The results of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry’s (ISO) 2023 Research on Turkiye’s Top 500 Industrial Enterprises reveal a significant rise in the number of publicly traded companies. From 73 in 2022, the count increased by 12 to reach 85 in 2023, marking the highest level to date. The study attributes this surge to favorable financial conditions in recent years, prompting companies to go public.
Among Turkiye’s top 500 companies, the increase in publicly traded entities rose from 73 in 2022 to 85 in 2023, highlighting a robust trend.
Analyzing the performance of publicly traded companies within the ISO 500, manufacturing sales accounted for 32.4% with a total of ₺2.067 trillion, while their share in period profit and loss rose from 33.6% to 35.5%.
Turkiye’s top 500 industrial companies reported a 45.5% increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to ₺1.175 trillion compared to 2022. Among these, the 85 publicly traded companies contributed ₺379.968 billion, representing 32.3% of the total.
In contrast, while the export share of publicly traded companies decreased from 34.1% in 2022 to 32.7% in 2023, their total assets reached ₺2.916 trillion, constituting 33% of the total.
The total debt of the 85 publicly traded industrial companies amounted to ₺1.3 trillion. Examining balance sheet indicators, the debt of Turkiye’s top 500 industrial companies surged by 60% in 2023, reaching ₺4.013 trillion from ₺2.5 trillion.
Meanwhile, the total debt of publicly traded companies accounted for ₺1.3735 trillion, representing 34.2% of the total, with short-term debts at ₺1.0493 trillion (36.8%) and long-term debts at ₺324.203 million (27.9%).
The proportion of equity in the total assets of publicly traded companies rose from 28.7% in 2022 to 32% in 2023, reflecting a stronger financial structure.
Commenting on the importance of access to financing for the continuity of investments and production in the industry, Professor Dr. Levent Aydin from Ankara University’s Department of Economics highlighted:
“The expansion of publicly traded companies within the Istanbul Chamber of Industry’s Top 500 contributes significantly to the strengthening of the industry and achieving sustainable growth. Additionally, institutionalization, transparency, and reputation gained through public listing can facilitate easier access to finance. Companies with strong financial structures, high growth potential, and earned investor confidence can continue to consider going public. The momentum of initial public offerings (IPOs) depends not only on market and economic conditions but also on strategic decisions tailored to individual company circumstances.”
Aydin emphasized the utilization of capital market instruments by industrial companies, stating:
“This strengthens companies’ financial structures and contributes to economic growth and development. Moreover, leveraging capital markets helps companies achieve sustainable growth objectives, enhance competitiveness, and adapt more swiftly to market conditions. The encouragement of IPOs by the Capital Markets Board, Borsa Istanbul management, and government policies can positively influence this process. The inclusion of these major companies in the stock exchange promotes broader and deeper capital distribution, vital for healthy economic growth in the future. Indeed, the level of economic development in countries is often directly proportional to the depth of their capital markets and specifically their stock exchanges.”
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz