Moderate rise driven by small-cap stocks
Small- and mid-caps pushed the stock market higher yesterday, although the general index remained below the 4,900-point mark due to a late dip after a significant rise earlier in the day. The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index gained a moderate 0.27 percent, despite having risen by 0.84 percent in mid-session, before closing at 4,898.93 points, up from 4,885.95 points on Tuesday. The FTSE/ATHEX 20 blue chip index gained 0.36 percent to end at 2,604.17 points. The FTSE/ATHEX Mid-40 moved 0.66 percent higher and the FTSE/ATHEX 80 small-cap index rose by a significant 1.40 percent. The FTSE/ATHEX international index posted a 0.41 percent rise to reach 6,996.71 points. Among blue chips, Intralot posted the greatest gains (up 2.77 percent), followed by Alpha Bank (2.45 percent), Marfin Popular Bank (2.33 percent), Titan (1.07 percent) and Piraeus Bank (0.82 percent). The biggest losers were Cosmote (down 1.85 percent), Viohalco (1.79 percent), Emporiki Bank and Hellenic Petroleum (both down 1.40 percent), Postal Savings Bank and OTE telecom (both 1.16 percent). Most sectoral indices moved south, led by telecommunications (down 1.28 percent), while the biggest gains were recorded by personal and household goods (2.12 percent). Turnover totaled -554.51 million, including -166.72 million in block trades.
