CosmOTE trips on 2004 results, banks rebound
Sellers outweighed buyers at the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) for the second straight day yesterday, although several bank stocks regained ground toward the end of the session to limit earlier losses. The general index rebounded from a low of -0.73 percent to close at 3,033.68 points, down 0.10 percent for the day. Buying interest returned to blue chips after Monday’s interval, with the FTSE/ASE-20 index edging up 0.05 percent. The FTSE/ASE Mid-40 and FTSE/ASE Small-Cap 80 advanced 0.38 percent and 0.56 percent respectively. Among banks, Alpha gained 0.93 percent, National 0.89 percent and EFG Eurobank 0.87 percent. The telecoms index led losers, ending 1.44 percent lower, as mobile operator CosmOTE declined 2.58 percent after announcing 2004 results below expectations. OTE shed 0.69 percent. Hellenic Exchanges advanced 3.01 percent after the announcement of a capital return of 2.05 euros per share. Coca-Cola HBC ended 1.53 percent up but the Public Power Corporation lost 1.22 percent. The real estate index outperformed with gains of 1.18 percent. Of the 350 shares traded, 102 advanced, 179 declined and 69 remained unchanged. Turnover fell to 191.80 million euros.
