CCHBC, banks, small caps steal the show
Buoyant banks led Greek stocks higher yesterday, while small caps maintained their resilience. The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed 1.13 percent higher at 4,794.93 points. The FTSE/ATHEX 20 blue chip index advanced 1.47 percent up to close at 2,555.66 points, the FTSE/ATHEX Mid-40 added 0.44 percent at 6,107.12 points and the FTSE/ATHEX 80 small-cap index ended 1.21 percent higher at a new six-year high of 1,002.18 points. Coca-Cola HBC led blue chips, surging 5.59 percent. Three banks displayed special vigor: Cyprus, which advanced 3.38 percent, National, 2.94 percent higher, and ATE, which added 2.90 percent. Intralot, Cosmote, Eurobank, Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, Postal Savings, Public Power Corporation, OPAP, OTE and Hellenic Technodomiki also headed north. Folli Follie was unchanged. In contrast, Titan shed 2.64 percent and Emporiki Bank was 1.38 percent down on lower-than-expected results. Viohalco, Hellenic Petroleum and Motor Oil also ended in negative territory. Analysts said barring the influence of imported negative news, interest in small caps is expected to continue, while advising caution with respect to fundamentals. Turnover thinned to -318.77 million, including -38.14 million in prearranged block trades.
