Small-caps lead pack in unconvincing rebound
Greek stocks rebounded from two previous losing days yesterday but closed significantly lower than at the day’s opening. The Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) benchmark index was up 0.25 percent at 3,828.48 points, after rising as much as 1.34 percent during the session. The rebound was based on gaming firm OPAP and National Bank, which again led in turnover. All capitalizations ended in positive territory; the blue chip FTSE/ASE 20 added 0.49 percent, the FTSE/ASE Mid-40 ended 0.20 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE Small-Cap 80 advanced 1.42 percent. Several other blue chips also headed north; Public Power Corporation was 1.85 percent higher, Piraeus Bank gained 1.49 percent and OTE added 1.02 percent, with one million shares changing hands. In contrast, Motor Oil tumbled 2.52 percent, Duty Free Shops slid 1.81 percent, Coca-Cola HBC was 1.41 percent lower and Cosmote lost 1.21 percent. Most sectoral indices headed north, led by health and media, which added 3.97 percent and 2.11 percent respectively. Petroleum, food and beverages and industrial products suffered the most. Turnover totaled 246.05 million euros, of which 97.1 million was accounted for by OPAP, National Bank and OTE.
