Lack of interest sends index marginally lower
Sharesended marginally lower yesterday, moving mainly with institutional trades, as small investors were in a wait-and-see mode, traders said. The general index closed at 2,131.47 points, down 0.05 percent. Analyst Takis Zamanis of Beta Securities said the Greek bourse was taking cues from European markets but mostly it was waiting for domestic news. Bottler Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling (CCHBC) was top dog in terms of volume, with traders speculating that its shareholder Kar-Tess Holding had gone ahead with the announced sale of 9.4 percent of the bottler’s share capital to domestic and foreign funds. CCHBC shares closed 1.15 percent up at 17.52 euros. Banks were also in focus, with Emporiki down 1.99 percent to 17.74 euros after a recent downgrade, while traders blamed pressure on Eurobank on a recent share placement by Deutsche Bank at a price of 13.20 euros. Eurobank closed down 1.9 percent to 13.42 euros a share. Alpha Bank closed up 0.48 percent at 20.84 euros, with traders citing continued inflows from last week, when index compiler Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) increased the bank’s investibility rating in its 20-share Greece benchmark. Turnover rose to 257 million euros, with 42 million shares changing hands. Decliners outnumbered advancers 169 to 125, with 61 stocks ending unchanged. (Reuters)
