ATHEX: OPAP keeps bourse losses to a minimum
The Greek bourse benchmark would have fallen much further on Wednesday if it weren’t for OPAP. As it was, the Athens Exchange (ATHEX) didn’t do too badly compared to its European peers, while the gaming company’s stock accounted for nearly half of the session’s increased trading volume.
The ATHEX general index closed at 581.56 points, shedding 0.15 percent from Tuesday’s 582.45 points. The large-cap FTSE 25 index contracted 0.23 percent to end at 1,531.37 points.
OPAP soared 7.24 percent on news it is withdrawing its 1-billion-euro suit against the state and is focusing instead on the launch of video lottery terminals (VLTs) following regulatory changes. Motor Oil was a distant second among northbound blue chips with a 1.38 percent increase.
Banks conceded 1.15 as Piraeus fell 1.39 percent and Alpha declined 1.32 percent. Ellaktor (down 3.25 percent) and Public Power Corporation (3.07 percent) were the worst performers of the day among large-caps.
In total 38 stocks recorded gains, 62 posted losses and 24 closed unchanged.
Turnover amounted to 55.5 million euros, up from Tuesday’s 33.9 million.
In Nicosia the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange advanced 0.17 percent to close at 66.69 points.
