ATHEX: Benchmark climbs to new six-week high

A universal push higher by Greek stocks sent the benchmark of the local bourse to a six-week high on Thursday, as it smashed through the 1,200-point level with ease, outperforming most other eurozone markets. This was the fifth consecutive session of gains for the main index at Athinon Avenue, with a notable increase in turnover too.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,219.99 points, adding 1.96% to Wednesday’s 1,196.48 points. The large-cap FTSE-25 index expanded 1.85% to 2,981.76 points.

The banks index rose 2.62%, as Piraeus jumped 4.58%, Alpha grew 3.79%, National earned 3.13% and Eurobank climbed 0.33%.

Aegean Airlines led rising blue chips with a 5.84% leap, Lamda Development soared 5.01%, Motor Oil grabbed 4.55%, Ellaktor advanced 4.17% and Terna Energy improved 3.55%, as OPAP declined 3.54%.

In total 86 stocks collected gains, 15 sustained losses and 23 remained unchanged.

Turnover amounted to 93.9 million euros, up from Wednesday’s €57.7 million.

In Nicosia, the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange increased 0.32% to 127.11 points.