Optimism takes stocks higher
Investors in the local bourse placed their money yesterday on a successful outcome of the process that will clarify European support for Greece, giving a boost to stocks after Monday’s decline. The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 2,047.03 points yesterday, growing by 1.83 percent from Monday’s close at 2,010.22 points. The blue chip FTSE/ATHEX 20 index expanded by 2.09 percent to end at 1,011.67 points. OPAP outperformed blue chips with an 8.71 percent rise, followed by Mytilineos (up 5.16 percent), Titan cement (4.51 percent), Alpha Bank (3.49 percent), Marfin Popular Bank (2.60 percent), Bank of Cyprus (1.98 percent) and Hellenic Postbank (1.89 percent). Travel and entertainment stocks stood out yesterday as their sectoral index climbed by a market-leading 7.61 percent. Turnover amounted to 138.3 million euros.
