Small-caps, banks and PPC lead rally
Shares rebounded yesterday, with Alpha Bank and Public Power Corporation leading the rally in the last half-hour of trading. The benchmark general share index gained 1.27 percent to 2,162.22 points, tracking positive sentiments in Europe. Banks notched up gains of 1.65 percent, with Alpha Bank rising 2.46 percent to 18.36 euros, not far off a year high of 18.80 euros reached late last month. Emporiki Bank trimmed some of the losses it recorded since posting disappointing first-half results early this month. Its shares added 2.57 percent to 17.54 euros. Electricity utility Public Power Corporation outperformed the broader market, rising 2.20 percent to 17.62 euros. Blue chips gained 1.18 percent, mid-caps rose 1.37 percent and small-caps added 1.95 percent. Turnover rose to 128.67 million euros, with 25.95 million shares traded. Advancers outnumbered decliners 235 to 85 with 43 unchanged on 363 traded. (Reuters)