Index hits 173-month low point
The main index of the Greek bourse nosedived to lows unseen in over 14 years on Wednesday, as investors are clearly more worried than ever about the course of the country?s economy and the absence of a clear path out of the crisis.
The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 1,190.30 points, the lowest since February 7, 1997, dropping 2.15 percent from Tuesday?s close at 1,216.51 points. The blue chip FTSE/ATHEX 20 index declined by 2.90 percent to end at 518.39 points.
ATEbank continued its free fall with losses of 14.67 percent on Wednesday. Three more banks followed from a distance, as Alpha Bank fell 5.68 percent, Piraeus Bank lost 5.43 percent and Eurobank EFG declined by 5.37 percent.
The only blue chips to register gains were Motor Oil (up 0.89 percent) and Hellenic Petroleum (0.32 percent).
In total, 41 stocks moved up, 102 went down and 38 remained unchanged. GE Dimitriou posted the highest gains, adding 20 percent, while ATEbank fared the worst among all stocks, followed by Tegopoulos Publications with a 12.50 percent drop. Crown Hellas was delisted.
Turnover came to 82.5 million euros on Wednesday, down from 100 million on Tuesday.
