Index rises for fourth day, close to 4,000 pts
The benchmark Athens Exchange (ATHEX) index gained for a fourth trading day, adding 12.28 points, or 0.3 percent, to 3,985.97. The measure has fallen 23 percent this year, the worst quarterly performance since 1992. The FTSE/ATHEX 20 index of the country’s biggest companies fell 0.4 percent to 2,061.04 points. The following stocks were among the most active in trading: The Athens Water Supply & Sewage Company (EYDAP) climbed 1.1 percent to 9.40 euros, gaining for a fourth day. The utility said 2007 profit rose to 43.3 million euros from 33.3 million euros a year earlier. Realty developer Babis Vovos dropped 1 percent to 19.50 euros, after reporting a net loss of 7.5 million euros last year, compared with net income of 86.2 million euros in 2006. MJ Maillis slid a record 26 percent to 67 cents. The maker of packaging straps reported a loss last year of 38.1 million euros, compared with net income of 2 million euros in 2006. The loss led the company to breach the terms of a loan agreement, Maillis said. Thessaloniki Port Authority climbed 2.5 percent, to 25.38 euros, after reporting a net income rise to 13.9 million euros in 2007 from 3.6 million euros in 2006. Coca-Cola advanced 4.9 percent, but Marfin Popular Bank slumped 4.8 percent. Turnover topped 601.9 million euros. (Bloomberg, Kathimerini)