Index barely clings on to 2,400-point level
Shares ended with small losses in thin trade yesterday, with gaming operator OPAP tumbling more than 3 percent on a press report the company is likely to cancel a tender for online terminals. «There was a lack of buying interest today, with little corporate news to drive the market,» said analyst Paris Mantzavras at HSBC Pantelakis. «The market is likely to consolidate at current levels next week, with investors keeping a close eye on foreign bourses,» he added. The general share index closed 0.45 percent lower at 2,400.02 points, tracking negative sentiment across Europe as inflation concerns weighed. OPAP fell to a three-week low, shedding 3.30 percent to 15.22 euros. «The stock fell on news that there might possibly be a delay in its tender for the installation and maintenance of online terminals,» said Mantzavras. Shares in gaming system operator Intralot, which has in the past provided systems for OPAP, lost 2.74 percent to 12.80 euros. Blue chips retreated 0.26 percent, mid-caps were down 0.45 percent while small-caps fell 0.53 percent. Turnover nudged up to 107.68 million euros, with 17.86 million shares changing hands. Decliners led advancers 194 to 97. (Reuters)