Positive opening gives way to blue chip selling pressures
Greek stocks opened in a positive mood Thursday, rising as much as 2.15 percent early in the session, as global markets were calmed by growing expectations that the country will not be defaulting on its debts anytime soon. After 2 p.m., however, blue chip sellers gained the upper hand and the Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index finally closed 1.02 percent lower at 848.40 points.
The blue chip FTSE/ATHEX 20 index shed 0.82 percent to end at 356.73 points. Banks dropped 0.61 percent, after a session-high of 3.38 percent.
National Bank gave up 1.59 percent, closing at 3.10 euros, Eurobank EFG surged 3.48 percent to 1.19 euros, Bank of Cyprus added 3.23 percent to 1.28 euros and Alpha Bank slid 0.62 percent to 1.61 euros. Gaming firm OPAP rose 2.60 percent to close at 7.50 euros.
Turnover surged to 112.9 million, while 58 stocks moved up, 73 went down and 44 remained unchanged.
