OPAP fortunes at odds with those of Intralot
Profit-taking in several blue chips and mid-caps dragged Greek shares south yesterday. The general index ended 0.62 percent lower at 2,959.53 points in a session dominated by gaming firm OPAP, which gained 2.59 percent after the government announced it is studying the inclusion of Greek soccer matches in betting options. The blue chip FTSE/ASE-20 index declined 0.74 percent, mid-caps shed 1.15 percent and small-caps were 0.42 percent lower. Betting systems firm Intralot, whose contract with OPAP may not be renewed in 2007, crashed 6.69 percent lower. Hellenic Petroleum and Public Power Corporation (PPC) lost 2.98 and 2.33 percent respectively, Intracom was 2.79 percent lower, while OTE Telecom and Alpha Bank shed 1.63 and 1.41 percent respectively. In contrast, mobile phone retailer Germanos rose 2.58 percent to a new year-high of 25.44 euros. Only four of the 18 sectoral indices advanced, led by printing and publishing with gains of 1.69 percent. In contrast, insurance shed most of Monday’s gains, ending 3.44 percent down. Decliners outnumbered winners 163 to 103, while 65 share prices remained unchanged on 331 traded. Turnover shot up to 208.7 million euros, with OPAP and PPC accounting for a combined 51.68 million.
