Late session profit-taking dragged equities 0.47 percent lower yesterday after weak US growth data sent a chill through European markets.

“If it was not for the US data. we would have had a better close.” said an analyst from Contalexis Securities.

Data showed the world’s biggest economy grew by just 1.1 percent during the April-June second quarter — half the 2.2-percent rate estimated by Wall Street economists. “This made the difference as the market appears to have entered an upward trend.” the analyst said.

The Athens bourse’s benchmark general index eased 0.47 percent to 2.115.390 points after reaching an intrasession high of 2.147.11 points.

Blue chips on the Athens bourse’s FTSE/ASE index slipped 0.47 percent to 1.083.17 points. Mid-caps shed 0.93 percent with small-caps trading 0.62 percent lower.

Turnover was 95.46 million euros on a volume of 20.1 million shares. Losers beat winners 193 to 132 while 37 shares were unchanged on 362 traded. (Reuters)