Strong buying interest created gains for all sectoral indices of Greek stocks yesterday. The general index advanced 2.41 percent to 2,243.67 points, a new year-high.

Interest was strongest for small-capitalization stocks, with the FTSE/ASE-80 index gaining 3.85 percent. The FTSE/ASE-40 of mid-caps and FTSE/ASE-20 of blue chips advanced 3.16 percent and 2.28 percent, respectively.

Holding companies outperformed, their index surging 5.38 percent to 1,462.69 points, followed by construction and printing-publishing, with respective gains of 4.14 percent and 4.12 percent. Heavyweight banks gained in line with the general index, advancing 2.41 percent to 3,841.75 points. Telecoms rose 1.95 percent to 906.86 points. Construction company Attikat led gainers with 12.84 percent to close at 1.67 euros. A block of 500,000 shares of Alpha Bank changed hands for 18,00 euros a piece.

Turnover rose to 175.3 million euros. Winners led losers 310 to 30, with 28 unchanged on 368 traded.