Blue chips lead index 0.55 pct higher
OTE Telecom and Hellenic Petroleum rose 2.23 percent and 2.21 percent, respectively, to lead blue chips and the general index higher. The benchmark general index rose 0.55 percent to close at 1,742.04 points. The FTSE/ASE-20 index of blue chips gained 0.59 percent to close at 862.09 points. All sectoral indices but two ended with gains. Real estate stocks gained 6.94 percent, while basic metals and information technology each gained 2.11 percent. Heavyweight telecoms and banks gained 1.62 percent and 0.52 percent, respectively. Textiles lost 1.47 percent and holding companies 0.52 percent. Among individual stocks, Sarandis gained 17.04 percent and Themeliodomi 11.32 percent. Losers were led by Stabilton’s preferred shares, down 10.53 percent, and Tria Alfa (10 percent). PPC and OPAP fell 3.63 percent and 1.86 percent, respectively. The government has announced it will sell further stakes in the two state-controlled companies by the end of the year.
