Greek bourse benchmark closes at the day’s high
A quiet bourse session at the start of the week ended with the benchmark of the Greek stock market at the day’s high, just over half a percentage point above Friday’s close, but on significantly reduced trading volume.
However the majority of stocks posted losses as the morning selling spree – spurred by the Fitch sovereign rating downgrade late on Friday – was not offset by the late blue chip rebound.
The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 772.71 points, expanding 0.53 percent from Friday’s 768.67 points.
The large-cap FTSE/ATHEX 25 index posted a 0.53 percent increase to end at 228.29 points, but mid-caps contracted 1.58 percent.
Observers say the decreasing interest in the local bourse is not only due to investors’ wait-and-see stance, but also because of the fatigue that the prolonged uncertainty has generated among traders.
Toy retailer Jumbo led the blue chips with an 8.16 percent rise, followed by Piraeus Port Authority (up 7.54 percent) and Ellaktor (7.34 percent).
Marfin Investment Group gave up 11.35 percent and Alpha Bank lost 6.33 percent.
In total 41 stocks moved higher, 64 registered losses and 18 stayed put.
Turnover amounted to just 58.3 million euros, down from last Friday’s 89.5 million.
