Index falls, in line with markets abroad
Stocks fell yesterday, caught up by sliding European bourses, with utility PPC bucking the trend after it reported a better-than-expected first quarter. PPC shares gained 1.19 percent to 13.58 euros after it said core profits rose a higher-than-expected 20.8 percent as a long wet winter helped the company meet growing demand by producing more hydroelectric power. The Athens benchmark general index fell 0.85 percent to 1,675.01 points. Banks fell 1.47 percent. Blue chips dropped 1.15 percent to 823.98 points, while mid-caps fell 0.63 percent and small-caps 1.32 percent. Greece’s biggest publisher Lambrakis fell 3.7 percent to 2.34 euros after it posted a group loss in the first quarter versus a profit in the year-ago period. Sales fell 8.2 percent. Turnover rose to 89.54 million euros from Monday’s 86.78 million euros, with 28.3 million shares changing hands. Decliners led advancers 275 to 53. (Reuters)
