ATHEX: Attica Bank return nudges index higher
The 30 percent limit-up hit by Attica Bank’s new shares following their listing on the Greek stock market on Monday made all the difference for the benchmark, which inched higher at the start of the week after three sessions of decline, although the losing stocks still outnumbered the gainers at the end of the day.
The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 608.85 points, adding 0.21 percent to Friday’s 607.56 points. The large-cap FTSE 25 index expanded 0.62 percent to end at 180.04 points, while mid-caps climbed 8.12 percent and small-caps soared 21.26 percent.
Public Power Corporation outperformed, recording a 5.11 percent rise, followed by National Bank, which gained 3.42 percent – in the wake of a statement refuting reports of problems in the sale of its Turkish unit – and METKA, which advanced 2.55 percent.
Viohalco (down 4.10 percent), Ellaktor (3.85 percent) and Alpha Bank (3.63 percent) led the blue chip losers.
In total 31 stocks registered gains, 43 recorded losses and 25 remained unchanged.
The lifting of capital controls on stock purchases, announced on Monday by the new head of the Capital Market Commission, Haralambos Gotsis, is set to bolster the daily trading volume. Monday’s turnover amounted to 47.2 million euros, down from Friday’s 64.6 million.
