ASE slides again, close to year low
Equities slid lower yesterday, with small- and mid-cap stocks taking a new tumble ahead of plans to categorize stocks according to liquidity levels in the new year. The Athens bourse general index ended at 1,748.41 points, down 14.28 points or 0.81 percent, bringing losses since the start of the year to 32.5 percent. «We’re seeing pessimism reigning on the bourse and the general index is likely to end close to year lows. Some retail and other investors are closing positions in the small- and mid-cap segment,» said head analyst Manos Hatzidakis at Magna Trust. Blue chips lost 0.78 percent to 862.73 points, while telecom stocks gained 0.03 percent and banks fell 0.57 percent. Mid-caps fell 1.47 percent and small-caps dropped 2.79 percent. Turnover was 62.64 million euros versus 45.68 million euros on Friday, with 18.7 million shares traded. Losers beat winners 266 to 58 with 31 shares unchanged on 355 traded. (Reuters)
