Firm telecoms help bourse rise 0.40 percent
Firm telecoms led the Athens bourse 0.40 percent higher yesterday while cellular operator Panafon outperformed in line with gains recorded by European peers. Brokers said the market had consolidated and was seeking a trend while sentiment remained on the positive side. «After the pressure the market was under in December, prices are rebounding. Additionally, there is some optimism from the euro and its rollout,» said Ilias Lazaris, analyst at Artion Securities. The Athens bourse’s benchmark general index rose 0.40 percent to 2,646.38 points. Since the start of 2002, Greek stocks have gained 2.11 percent or 54.82 points. The FTSE/ASE-20 index of blue chips firmed 0.40 percent to 1,447.47 points. The FTSE/ASE-40 index of mid-caps rose 0.67 percent and small-caps ended up 0.35 percent. Telecoms firmed 0.55 percent and Panafon jumped 3.32 percent to 6.22 euros. Banks gained 0.46 percent. Turnover was 81.60 million euros on 17.5 million shares changing hands. Winners beat losers 178 to 128 with 49 unchanged on 355 traded.(Reuters) Polar temperatures and heavy snowfall have already mobilized hundreds of the Ornithological Society’s members, who have left out corn, lettuce and other food for birds in the Axios wetland habitat, the Aighio salt flats, Milos and elsewhere.
