End-of-session blue chip rally lifts index 0.64 pct
Blue chips rallied in the last five minutes of trading yesterday, lifting the general index 0.64 percent to close at 2,124.70 points. The rally, which analysts attributed to moves by large portfolios aiming to boost prices to the levels where the October series of derivatives expired yesterday, accounted for 40 percent of the session’s 110.5-million-euro turnover. The blue chip FTSE/ASE-20 index advanced 0.60 percent to 1,067.63 points, while mid- and small-caps gained 0.90 and 0.48 percent, respectively. Emporiki Bank gained 2.07 percent to 18.70 euros, Vodafone 1.69 percent to 6.02 euros and CosmOTE 1.17 percent to 10.40 euros. National Bank edged up 0.22 percent to 17.94 euros, topping the list of the most marketable securities with 15 million euros. Alpha Bank and OTE Telecom remained unchanged, while Intracom and Public Power Corporation lost 1.97 and 1.56 percent, respectively. All sectoral indices ended in positive territory except investment and retail commerce which receded 0.10 and 0.53 percent, respectively. Holding and information technology firms gained most, both advancing 1.48 percent. Winners led decliners 190 to 104, with 63 unchanged on 357 traded.
