Greek stocks look set to extend gains
Greek stocks are expected to resume their upward climb this week but some volatility could be in store as the candidates for the country’s national elections unveil their economic policies. Global markets are likely to support investor sentiment, with US stocks poised to repeat their advance this week as investors bet that a strong economic recovery is gaining and company outlooks become rosier. On Friday, the Athens bourse’s benchmark general index gained 0.66 percent to reach 2,527.11 points, racking up gains of 4.20 percent for the week. PASOK leader George Papandreou said in Thessaloniki yesterday he opposes plans to privatize the Thessaloniki Water and Sewerage Company (EYATH). The ruling conservatives launched a tender in July to sell 23 percent of EYATH, reducing the government stake in the company to 51 percent. French group Suez Environnement, which already owns 5 percent of EYATH, and Spanish FCC’s Aqualia have expressed interest in the sale.
