Across-the-board gains halt four-session slide
Shares rebounded on the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) yesterday after four losing sessions during which the general index dropped 1.46 percent. The market was marked by investor interest in the shares of EFG Eurobank Ergasias and National Bank and the recovery of medium- and small-capitalization stocks, especially those belonging to the Klonatex group of companies. The ASE general index closed at 2,337.55 points, a gain of 5.61 points or 0.24 percent. The FTSE/ASE-20 index of blue chips gained 0.35 percent to close at 1,272.79 points, while mid- and small-caps gained 0.85 percent and 0.85 percent respectively. EFG Eurobank’s stock gained 1.95 percent to close at a year-high 18.82 euros, while National Bank gained 1.03 percent to close at 19.54 euros. Among other blue chips, cement company Titan also closed at a year-high of 20.56 euros on the back of a 0.88 percent rise. Other significant gainers included Intracom (up 3.52 percent to 2.94 euros) and Germanos (3.49 percent to 18.40 euros). By contrast, bottler Coca-Cola HBC lost 3.80 percent to 17.72 euros. Of the 355 traded stocks, 170 gained, 100 declined and 85 ended unchanged. Turnover rose to 123.84 million euros, including 17.07 million in prearranged trades.
