Massive jump in local market
Stocks soared on the local bourse yesterday for the second session in a row, absorbing the rise registered by foreign markets on Tuesday when the Greek market was closed. The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,969.84 points, growing by a massive 9.54 percent. The blue chip FTSE/ATHEX 20 index grew by 10.82 percent to end at 1,069.97 points. Blue chips posted considerable gains, with National Bank rising by 16.30 percent. OTE telecom posted its biggest gains ever in one day, on the news that Citigroup Inc recommended that its investors buy its shares. Its stock increased 15.81 percent yesterday. Other gainers included Marfin Investment Group (up 14.80 percent), Marfin Popular Bank (14.07 percent) and ATEbank (13.46 percent). Turnover reached 351.9 million euros.