Stocks rise 2.02 pct, boosted by utilities
Stocks rose more than 2 percent yesterday, tracking strong gains on European markets, with a bounce by index heavyweight OTE Telecom helping the market recover from its recent dip to year-lows. State-run companies in line for privatization outperformed with soccer soccer pools and lottery organization OPAP gaining 9.56 percent to 9.86 euros. The Athens Water Company gained 7.38 percent to 5.24 euros, with the Public Power Corporation adding 1.57 percent to 14.22 euros. OTE gained 3.23 percent to 15.96 euros, while subsidiary CosmOTE rose 1.78 percent to 10.28 euros. The Athens benchmark general index advanced 2.02 percent to end at 2,242.88 points. The bourse’s index of blue chips gained 1.83 percent to 1,164.24 points. Mid-caps advanced 0.96 percent with small-caps adding 0.81 percent. Turnover improved to 150.31 million euros on 2.6 million shares traded. Winners beat losers 202 to 105, while 50 shares were unchanged on 357 traded. (Reuters)
