Stocks rebounded yesterday on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) following six declining sessions, during which the general index lost a cumulative 4.22 percent.

The session was marked by investor preference for medium- and small-capitalization shares and a sharp rise in turnover.

The ASE general index closed at 3,205.99 points, a gain of 19.64 points or 0.62 percent. During the session, it had reached a high of 3,212.71 points.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index of blue chips gained 0.73 percent to close at 1,783.67 points, while mid- and small-caps gained 1.43 percent and 0.98 percent respectively.

Among blue chips, Intracom (up 6.87 percent to 5.60 euros) and Duty Free Shops (5.69 percent to 16.34 euros, a year-high) were especially popular. Significant gains were also posted by Folli-Follie (up 3.05 percent to 25.66 euros), Germanos (3.01 percent to 13.68 euros), Hyatt (2.91 percent to 10.60 euros), National Bank (1.37 percent to 29.68 euros) and Alpha Bank (1.32 percent to 21.48 euros). By contrast, losses were sustained by CosmOTE (down 1 percent to 15.80 euros), EFG Eurobank (0.41 percent to 24.36 euros) and OPAP (0.08 percent to 25.62 euros).

Of 336 traded stocks, 181 gained, 75 declined and 80 ended unchanged. Turnover reached 165.34 million euros, including 13.5 million in prearranged trade.