Slight gains in thin trade
The Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) general index closed at 1,776.16 points on Friday, up 0.76 percent from 1,762.69 points a week earlier. Total trading volume rose in the four-session week, from 178.38 million euros to 216.45 million euros, but with a lower average of 54.11 million euros per session. Of the Financial Times indices, the FTSE/ASE-20 of blue chips outperformed the others, gaining 0.82 percent, while the FTSE/ASE Mid-Cap 40 followed closely with gains of 0.81 percent; the FTSE/ASE of 80 small-capitalization stocks advanced 0.55 percent. Most sectoral indices ended with gains, most notably that of printing and publishing, which advanced a hefty 5.81 percent, followed by real estate with 3.10 percent, investment with 2.66 percent, construction with 2.56 percent and non-metallic minerals and cement with 2.15 percent. The losers were led by food and beverages, which declined 4.82 percent, and insurance, which fell 4.67 percent. Of the 370 individual stocks traded, 202 gained, 137 ended down and 31 remained unchanged. The biggest weekly gains were realized by Imako Media Net Group, which advanced 17.39 percent and Technical Publications (16.16 percent). Eight other stocks, Veterin, Tria Alfa (CR), PC Systems, Lambrakis Press, Xifias, Bank of Cyprus, Fintexport and Vioter all advanced more than 12 percent. The losers were led by Elfiko, which fell 21.95 percent, and Yiannousis (20.55 percent). The most heavily traded stock was OTE Telecom, with a daily average volume of 4.98 million euros. (Please note that for technical reasons, the column «Greatest Changes Over the Period» below contains the closing prices of Thursday, January 2.)
