Motor Oil and HelleniQ Energy face pressure over potential EU windfall tax

Shares of Motor Oil and HelleniQ Energy have faced downward pressure on the Athens Stock Exchange due to concerns regarding potential European regulatory intervention. Reports suggest that six EU member states have requested discussions at the upcoming EU Finance Ministers' meeting on September 18–19 to establish a pan-European framework for taxing the windfall profits of oil companies.

The initiative follows significant energy price volatility, with oil prices rising approximately 25% since late February and diesel prices in Europe increasing by more than 70%. In addition to windfall taxation, the six countries are calling for the immediate disclosure of refining margin data to determine if refineries have benefited disproportionately from the current price surges.