At five minutes to noon on Tuesday, they stood at 90.65 euros each, having been revalued by 4.59 per cent in just one session.

This makes them the highest-valued shares on the stock market, way ahead of the IBEX 35's other most lucrative companies.

Its nearest rival was Acciona, at 36.10 euros, followed by Técnicas Reunidas at 34.32 euros.

Inditex shares have soared by 45.18 per cent since the start of the year and it now has the highest level of capital on the stock market, being valued at 56,505 million euros – way ahead of international phone and internet giant Telefónica at 48,660 million euros, and global banking chain Banco Santander at 42,839 million euros.

Apparently immune to the recession, the textiles empire continues to go from strength to strength and its founder is now officially the richest man in Europe.

Inditex is the umbrella company for budget high-street chains Zara, Pull&Bear and Bershka; underwear store Oysho; mid-range fashion retailers Massimo Dutti and Uterqüe, and quality interiors store Zara Home.

Bizarrely, for the price of just one share in the company, an investor could buy two jackets, three dresses or 10 tops from one of the first three stores; three or four full sets of underwear from the fourth; a skirt or two cardigans from Uterqüe or Massimo Dutti, or a complete set of bed-linen from Zara Home.

In other words, a sizeable shopping spree in any one of Inditex's stores will set the buyer back less than purchasing one single share in the company.