Positive start to week for stocks
The Athens bourse gained 1.68 percent yesterday, supported by solid gains in bank shares. The Athens Exchange’s benchmark general index ended at 1,751.62 points, bringing its losses for the year to 66 percent. Turnover was thin at 68.3 million euros. Banks added 3.58 percent, led by a 4.55 percent rise in National Bank shares to 12.42 euros. Eurobank and Alpha Bank also advanced 3.85 percent and 3.74 percent respectively. Agrotiki Insurance, a subsidiary of state-controlled ATEbank, tumbled 19.69 percent to 2.08 euros. Parent ATEbank said on Friday talks with French insurer Groupama to sell it a majority stake in its insurance subsidiary had ended unsuccessfully. The stock has given up 28 percent over the last week.
