Blue chips fuel market gains
The Athens Stock Exchange general index rose 18.21 points, or 0.66 percent, last week to close at 2,762.12 points. Two rising sessions in the beginning of the week were followed by three losing ones. Total trading volume reached 692.88 million euros, representing an average daily turnover of 138.57 million, a rise of about 25 percent over the previous week. The FTSE/ASE-20 index of large-capitalization stocks outperformed, ending the week 1.87 percent higher. On the other hand, the FTSE/ASE-40 of mid-caps lost 2.42 percent. The FTSE/ASE-80 small-caps index resisted better, losing 0.68 percent. Among sectoral indices, 12 sustained losses and only four closed higher. Banks led the gainers (2.72 percent), followed by construction stocks (1.52 percent). Textiles, the previous week’s leading gainers, were the top losers, shedding 3.56 percent. They were followed by IT equipment/solutions (2.66 percent) and wholesale trade (2.57 percent). Of the 369 stocks traded, 137 registered gains, 211 ended with losses and and 21 remained unchanged. Among individual stocks, gainers were led by Balafas Holdings (24.18 percent) and Kalpinis-Simos (15.02 percent). The biggest losses for the week were sustained by Anek (20 percent), and Fitco (16.83 percent). Newly listed Thessaloniki Port Authority gained 10.39 percent. The most heavily traded stocks were OTE telecom, with an average daily turnover of 9.90 million euros, and Giannousis, with turnover totaling 6.17 million euros. Neither the reformists nor the supporters of Tsochadzopoulos are showing their hands until the prime minister makes his speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair.
