ECB meeting adds to stock market jitters
Nervousness prevailed on the Greek stock market on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s crucial European Central Bank meeting, influenced also by increasing demands from election favorite SYRIZA candidates for an extension to the country’s bailout program. Trading volume remained below 100 million euros for a tenth successive session.
The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 782.88 points, declining 2.40 percent from Tuesday’s 802.12 points. The large-cap FTSE/ATHEX 25 index contracted 2.56 percent to end at 247.40 points.
The banks index shrank 4.30 percent, with Alpha dropping 7.78 percent and Eurobank giving up 5.92 percent. Marfin Investment Group slumped 7.26 percent. Aegean Airlines was the only blue chip to post a rise, inching up 0.97 percent.
In total 20 stocks reported gains, 81 suffered losses and 26 remained unchanged.
Turnover amounted to 58 million euros, up from Tuesday’s 47 million.
